Parkinson’s freezing of gait: practical strategies to get moving again

Freezing is one of the most frustrating parts of Parkinson’s. One moment you are walking, the next your feet feel glued to the floor, often in a doorway, halfway through a turn or just as you reach your chair. Parkinson’s freezing of gait usually lasts only seconds, but it is a common trigger for falls, and it can knock your confidence.

The encouraging part is that there are practical strategies that help many people get moving again. This guide covers what freezing is, what triggers it, the techniques physios teach, and how carers can help. It is general information only, not medical advice. Please talk to your neurologist, GP or physiotherapist about your own situation.

The short answer

• Freezing of gait is when you temporarily cannot move your feet, as if they are glued to the ground, even though you intend to walk.
• It is most common when starting to walk, turning, going through narrow spaces or approaching a chair.
• Parkinson’s Australia notes that turning is the top trigger, responsible for about a third of freezes.
• Pushing through a freeze can cause a fall. Stopping, resetting and using a cue works better.
• Freezing often happens as medication is wearing off, so talk to your neurologist about timing.
• Carers should never push or pull someone who is frozen.

What freezing looks like, and what triggers it

Parkinson’s Australia describes three common patterns:

• Trembling in place. Your legs or knees shake quickly but your feet stay stuck.
• Shuffling forward. You take very small, quick steps that do not really move you forward.
• Total lack of movement. For a short time you cannot move your legs at all.

Episodes usually last a few seconds, but sometimes they persist for minutes. Parkinson’s Australia notes that around a quarter of people experience freezing in the early stages of Parkinson’s, rising to over 60% after 10 years.

Common triggers

Freezing tends to happen when the brain has to deal with too much at once. Common triggers include:

• Transitions: starting to walk, or turning around.
• Narrow spaces: doorways, lifts, hallways and crowded rooms.
• Approaching a goal: nearing a chair, the toilet or the end of a walk.
• Stress: feeling rushed, a phone ringing, crossing a busy road.
• Dual-tasking: walking while talking, carrying a cup or thinking about something else.

Keeping a simple diary of when and where you freeze can help you and your physio spot your personal patterns.

Getting unstuck: the 5S method

If you freeze, do not try to force your way forward, because your body may keep moving while your feet stay put. Parkinson’s Australia suggests five steps:

1. Stop. Recognise the freeze and stop trying to walk.
2. Stand tall. Reset your posture so your weight comes back off your toes.
3. Shake it off, or sigh. Take a deep breath to relax your muscles and calm yourself.
4. Shift. Gently rock your weight from side to side.
5. Step. Take one large, deliberate marching step to get going again.

Practise these when you are not frozen, so they become automatic. If your balance is uncertain, practise with a stable surface to hold, such as a kitchen bench, and someone nearby.

Using cues, including at turns and doorways

Cues are outside signals that help your brain start or keep a movement going. Different cues suit different people, so it is worth trying a few with your physio.

• Visual cues: imagine a line on the floor and step over it, or use strips of tape on the floor in problem spots. Some walking frames project a laser line to step over.
• Auditory cues: walk to the beat of a metronome app, count “1, 2, 3, go” out loud, or hum a song with a steady rhythm.
• Attention: focus fully on walking. Put the cup down, finish the conversation, then walk.

A 2023 meta-analysis of cueing studies, published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, found that cues improved several aspects of walking in people with Parkinson’s who freeze, and that auditory and visual cues reduced turning time. It also found that no single cue suits everyone, which is why trying different options matters.

Turns and doorways

Because turning and narrow spaces are such common triggers, it pays to plan for them:

• Turn with a rhythm. Keep stepping as you turn, using a count or beat to hold your rhythm.
• Give turns your full attention. Avoid turning while carrying something or talking.
• Mark doorways. A strip of contrasting tape across a threshold gives you a line to step over.
• Widen the paths. Move furniture to open up tight spots, such as between the bed and the wall, so you have more room to walk and turn.
• Approach chairs deliberately. Slow down, count your steps in, turn fully and feel the chair against the back of your legs before you sit.

Tips for carers and family

• Stay calm. Your calm helps keep anxiety low, which can shorten the freeze.
• Never push or pull. Rushing someone who is frozen can cause a fall.
• Be a human cue. Place your foot on the floor in front of them and ask them to step over it.
• Give them time. Wait several seconds and let them use their strategies to restart.

How physiotherapy helps

A physio can help you find which strategies work for you and practise them where freezing actually happens: your hallway, bathroom doorway, kitchen and the path to your favourite chair. Home visits are well suited to this. Exercise also matters for safety. A 2017 meta-analysis found that exercise reduced the rate of falls in community-dwelling people with Parkinson’s. Our article on Parkinson’s exercises for balance covers the exercise side in detail.

When to see your doctor

Tell your neurologist or GP if freezing is new, happening more often, or causing falls. Parkinson’s Australia notes that freezing is often a sign that your treatment plan needs a review. Most freezing happens when medication is wearing off, and your neurologist may be able to adjust the timing or type of your medication.

If a fall causes a head injury, severe pain or you cannot get up, call 000. Our guide on how to get up after a fall explains what to do when you are not hurt.

Frequently asked questions

Is freezing the same as moving slowly?

No. Slowness is a general feature of Parkinson’s. Freezing is a sudden, temporary block where the feet will not move, often in specific situations.

Can freezing be cured?

There is no single cure, but freezing can often be managed well with a combination of medication review, movement strategies and cues.

Will the NDIS or other funding pay for physio?

It depends on your age and circumstances. Many people with Parkinson’s use the NDIS, Support at Home, DVA or a GP chronic condition management plan. See our page on Parkinson’s physiotherapy in Melbourne for funding options.

Keep moving with confidence

Our neurological physiotherapists visit homes across Melbourne and the Geelong region to help people with Parkinson’s manage freezing, balance and falls. Make a referral or contact our team on 03 8824 0712.

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