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Current Replies for how to walk better

how to walk better (hamachi)
Posted: 1:50:42 am on 1/30/2010 Modified: 1:54:36 am on 1/30/2010

I noticed when I concentrate on walking heel to toe I feel more stable. When I walk on the ball of my feet I tend to be more bouncy and I lose my balance more. We ataxia patients are so concerned with keeping our balance we forget the proper way to walk. When you walk heel to toe the heel is more solid to land on.

Re: how to walk better (Gammy)
Posted: 9:04:37 am on 1/30/2010 Modified: Never

Thanks for sharing. I found I walk better with my legs farther apart (like a baby with a dirty diaper). Whatever it takes to stay upright is okay with me. Carol

Re: how to walk better (SunnyKay)
Posted: 11:34:20 am on 1/30/2010 Modified: Never

A wide or broad based gait is associated with compensating for ataxia or other neurologic difficulties. Walking on the flats of your feet can be too.

SunnyKay

Everyone Deserves A Great Doc!!!

Re: how to walk better (hamachi)
Posted: 12:13:55 pm on 1/30/2010 Modified: Never

SunnyKay,
You can also walk with a wide gait and land on your heel. The heel is the most solid part of the foot.

Re: how to walk better (moilerner)
Posted: 12:55:52 pm on 1/30/2010 Modified: Never

thanks for reminding me. a physical therapist recommended that's how I should walk. my Tai Chi teacher said we should bend our knees slightly. a locked knee can cause problems.

Lorraine

Re: how to walk better (hamachi)
Posted: 9:33:26 pm on 1/31/2010 Modified: Never

When I use my rollator if I go heel to toe I can walk faster. I can take bigger steps thus I can cover more ground.

Re: how to walk better (oldtimer)
Posted: 3:39:26 pm on 2/7/2010 Modified: Never

Hamachi, in the past
You have mentioned using a 3 wheeled walker. Do you find that it provides enough sideways stability. Also, I live in San Francisco, a city off hills, where a 30 degree slope is considered almost flat. I have observed very few people here using rollaters, more unwheeled walkers instead. Does a rollator get away from you, in your experience, on a down slope? Its hard enough walking on a down slope. Also a rollator would be difficult to lug onto transit.
I know you are not a therapist; I am more interested in your personal experience and the experience of others. I am shopping for my first assisted appliance. I am trying to take a lot of things into account. Weight, portability, maneuverability and capacity for carrrying other things, such as shopping items. I thought about a cane, but I cant carry anything on a cane.

Re: how to walk better (hamachi)
Posted: 4:57:30 pm on 2/7/2010 Modified: 5:02:23 pm on 2/7/2010

Oldtimer,
I really like my 3 wheel Winnie lite because it is very portable. I can easilly calapse it and still walk with it for tight spaces like restruants or buses etc. It weighs 9 lbs for a aluminum frame and 14 lbs for a steel frame I found the steel frame one works better for me. Medicare will pay 8o% I just paid $104 shipped I donot like filling out all the paper work for Medicare.
On down hills it has locking hand brakes but you have to take extra care on down slops. On level ground or restruants you cannot beat it. It gives you a sense of control over your ataxia. Their website is
http://www.activeforever.com enter 3 wheel Winnie lite. Take a look it has a pouch for carrying things.

Re: how to walk better (hamachi)
Posted: 5:37:20 pm on 2/7/2010 Modified: Never

Oldtimer,
enter 3 wheel winnie light instead of 3 wheel winnie lite

Re: how to walk better (oldtimer)
Posted: 6:54:37 pm on 2/7/2010 Modified: Never

I notice that none of the 3 wheelers seem to have seats for a rest stop on long walks; only the 4 wheelers have a fold down seat. Good for long lines.

Re: how to walk better (hamachi)
Posted: 12:32:31 am on 2/8/2010 Modified: Never

Oldtimer,
I would have both a 3 wheeler for restruants and tight spaces and a 4 wheeler for waiting in long lines and long walks. I personally ride a trike and go 34 to 36 miles 3 times a week so my legs are strong and donot need a seat. I just need a pouch to carry things.

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