Gait therapists, where are you?

@ray666 Ray, I have similar symptoms with sensory motor PN. Along with numbness, balance is a challenge. A few months ago, it was suggested that in my case, perhaps an occupational therapist could helpful. I intend to explore this in January when I see my primary.

I am not a medical professional but ask the Ear doctor about ear health related to balance & find a yoga practice site online to practice yoga balance exercises. Best of luck to improve balance abilities.

You should try going to a hospital OP physical therapy department. This is where gait therapists are which is where stroke patients first meet PT too.

Yes, definitely! I'm 87 and accustomed to almost daily walks (at least 30 min). My gait has definitely changed since diagnosis of PN; neurologist doesn't seem concerned; says since I can walk tandem and walk without assistive devices I should just focus on posture and rate of walking so I can walk a straight line instead of wobbling all over the place! Haven't made a lot of progress; agree that a gait coach would be helpful. I need to ask for a referral! Thanks for the push!

It's annoying, having consciously to control what used to be automatic.

Awareness that one is wobbling and wibbling is the first step, so to speak.
In the end, only you can control your gait. No therapist can do that for you.

What gets me is the premature fatigue that sets in if I walk too far, or what my legs seems to regard as too far. The lower legs eventually go on a sit-down strike. Some degree of regular exercise, I mean muscle-building exercise, may help but it seems to me that the nerves just stop transmitting

In terms of gait, I find I walk better if I straighten my legs each stride, a strut almost, and plant my feet firmly. So I put the foot down and then as the leg moves to the vertical, I straighten it, push back against the knee joint.
The opposite, the bent knees, worked for Groucho Marx of course.

Good morning, Ed (@njed)

I'm wondering, too, if I shouldn't explore something more like occupational therapy. Ten, twenty times a day, as I bend or stretch to pick up or take hold of something, the thought passes through my mind: This is more like occupational therapy.

The PT company I've been working with the past few months will go out-of-network on 12/31, so, as I've still got coverage, I've an ideal chance to make a change, if a change seems like a god idea.

Ray (@ray666)

Hi, @cathyilerc. You make excellent points. My vestibular health has been checked and double-checked time & again and always pronounced top-notch. I'm afraid allof my balance woes stem from not up top but from the soutern hemisphere of me. Thanks for your well wishes. Mine to you, too! –Ray (@ray666)

Hi, @rosie7116. The trick is finding that gait coach – and finding one who'll accept insurance (a must in my case). I dream of one day meeting a therapist or coach who'll say, "I've a dozen patients. More than half of them have balance difficulties due to peripheral neuropathy." So far I've not met that person. My best wishes to you. And Happy Holidays! –Ray (@ray666)

Thanks, @jenatsky! I hadn't thought of checking at my local hospital. My PCP is affiliated; I'll give her a call. Happy holidays! –Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 thank you, Ray! Mall those dreams come true. Great way to start the New Year. Best wishes for happy holidays and good health in the New Year!