Do Surgical Procedures Help?
Surgical procedures like a pallidotomy may benefit freezing but this observation remains controversial. Even one of the newest surgical procedures, Deep Brain Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus, has been shown to benefit many of the symptoms in PD but appears to have no effect on freezing. Other Methods Tried For Freezing Treadmill exercises and daily walking can be helpful . This also helps keep the legs strong which can help prevent falls. A hand held laser has been claimed to help overcome freezing. The patient is instructed to direct the beam to he floor in front and they step onto the point of light. Dogs have been trained to help people with PD for a variety of problems, including freezing. The dog is trained to put its paw on the top of the person’s foot which breaks the freeze and the person can continue walking. Why or how this works no one knows. Usually one or more of the above suggestions will prove helpful. I have also observed that a good night’s sleep tends to reduce
