Using a TheraBand for bigger steps
Hey, it’s Calli from the PWR!Gym. Today I wanted to talk about an easy trick to help people who use a walker to help them walk to get a bigger step length. So, one of the things that I like to do with some of my patients that have a hard time taking that big step, is just by tying a TheraBand or a little bit of a resistance band to the front two legs of that walker to help cue them to take a bigger step. So, for example now that I have this here while I am walking, I want to think about kicking that band with every step. Take a nice long step and get that heal down first. It helps you get a little more heel strike, bigger step length. We know that people with Parkinson’s tend to respond really well to visual targets like that, so I hope that helps you take a bigger step when walking if you use a walker.
Our goal is to make sure you’re always empowered and informed.
We offer handouts, downloads, research updates, Wellness Series talks, retreats with knowledgeable speakers, in-person and virtual wellness consultations, and in-person physical therapy visits. We are here for our PWR! Members every step of the way.
We’re excited to have you join us!
Calli Hutchison, DPT Parkinson Disease Exercise Specialist
Calli first discovered her passion for working with people with Parkinson disease in 2014, as an undergrad working on a PD research study. A few years later, she first joined the PWR! family as a physical therapy student on a clinical rotation. Calli found working at the PWR!Gym so deeply rewarding that, after graduation, she accepted a position as one of our full-time physical therapists, and she, her husband, and their three cats, Nugget, Peanut, and Khaleesi, moved to Tucson. In addition to treating clients, Calli organizes our Wellness Series and social events.
Calli offers physical therapy to clients in Arizona and wellness consultations to those outside of Arizona.
Outside the gym, Calli loves to travel—she’s been to four continents and she and her husband, Taylor, visit craft breweries everywhere they travel to.
