Doing the Harlem Shuffle

Doing the Harlem Shuffle?

Have you or a loved one developed a shuffling gait? Sadly, this is something I see all too often in clients, but what causes it and can it be improved?

A shuffling gait is often the result of disease, illness, medication or more often, a fall.

Falling, particularly when you are older, can be very frightening and the fear of breaking a bone even more so. Following a fall the fear is increased and so I often see the confidence in patients diminished to the point where they become housebound, too frightened to go out in case it happens again.

Most people suffering from this will prefer to shuffle their feet along as this keeps their entire foot in touch with the floor. Unfortunately, this is more likely to cause trips and falls as the foot is not being securely placed down on the ground. Getting caught in the friction of a carpet, thresholds, rugs or uneven surfaces becomes more likely.

Shuffling often creates a narrower foot stance, meaning that the patients’ feet are too close together and therefore less stable making it easier to fall.

What can we do to improve it?

There are many exercises that can be done on a level suitable to each client’s level of fitness. Age is no barrier! Strengthening the calves in particular helps to improve balance and stability and to encourage the correct lifting and placement of the foot. Many of these exercises can be done in the home, using chairs and handrails for support with ‘little and often’ being the best way to re-train the muscles.

Support is vital at this stage to help patients regain their confidence and get back to living full and happy lives.

If you have any queries on how I can help, please contact me on:

Tel: 07927 576 986

www.peakperformancemassagetherapy.co.uk