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At the risk of re-opening the Pandora's box of freezing, dyskinesia , akinesia again I decided to comment on the backwards walking post... I believe backwards walking occurs at a specific stage of PD pathology in regards to gait pathology. This is when vision pathology dominates and autonomic pathology is not as pronounced. In order to take a step (of normal length) one must displace one's center of gravity forward beyond the fall point. Such a manuever puts us in peril of falling if there is a percieved or real inability to advance a leg and neutralize this displaced center of gravity. So anyone with a percieved or real inability to advance a leg will be inhibited from taking a step. However, such individuals can take a step if they can advance the leg without a prior displacement of center of gravity beyond the fall point. This is why I believe that the short stride length steps seen in PD is not primary pathology but rather is a compensatory gait - the body's attempt at walking while keeping center of gravity under foot. An alternative maneuver which will allow for more normal stride length is the Groucho Marx walk. This is a funny kind of gait where the upper trunk remains erect as the legs advance. Backwards walking works for the same reason. Anatomically we are put together so that walking backwards requires minimal displacement of center of gravity regards, Tom