You Didn’t Hit the Floor, but Was It Still a Parkinson’s Fall?

For someone living with Parkinson’s disease, a fall does not always mean ending up on the floor. Parkinson’s can affect balance, posture, coordination, and the ability to move safely. Freezing of gait, when the feet suddenly feel as though they are stuck to the floor, can also cause a person to lose their balance. If you stumble, freeze, or lose your balance and have to catch yourself on a chair, table, bed, countertop, wall, or another person, the incident is still considered a fall, even if you never reach the ground.

These incidents are important to recognize because they can provide valuable information about your fall risk with Parkinson’s. You may notice that they happen when turning, walking through a doorway, getting up from a chair, changing direction, or during an episode of freezing. Keeping track of these events can help you and your healthcare provider identify patterns and determine whether movement strategies or other supports could help improve your safety.

The important thing to remember is that catching yourself does not mean the incident should be ignored. Recognizing these events, and the freezing or balance problems that may contribute to them, can be an important part of preventing more serious falls and helping you stay active and independent with Parkinson’s.

Watch the video above to learn a quick exercise that we teach in our Balance Builders Academy. This five-week balance course works by offering small challenges and daily practice that yield big results.

If you’re concerned about your balance or want to prevent falling, sign up to receive:

• Weekly video lessons that guide you through safe, effective balance training.
• Written homework to reinforce each week’s skills and help you stay consistent.
• A step-by-step program that builds your confidence one week at a time.
• Structure and accountability to keep you on track.

Join our 5-Week Balance Builders Academy today and keep building the confidence, stability, and independence that help you live life on your terms. Call (503) 407-1335 or email us to get started!

In addition to Balance Builders Academy, we offer a variety of online courses to address your Parkinson’s symptoms. If you’re ready to level up your workouts, try one of our courses below:

• Rebel Fit Club Posture School
• “From Cramping Feet to Happy Feet!” Course
• PD Exercises to Improve Hand Dexterity & Mobility

💜 Coach Kimberly