Improving Walking and Overcoming Anxiety Attacks
Case Study – Mike
Having experienced a severe stroke 10 years earlier, 45 year old Mike suffered from steadily increasing muscle tension in his affected body (especially his leg) and was prone to sudden anxiety attacks – usually in awkward situations such as crossing a road, or walking in a crowded environment.
After his stroke, Mike received intensive physiotherapy to promote feeling and movement in his affected leg, especially. This treatment allowed Mike to resume walking, although his affected body still lacked feeling and flexibility, and always seemed to be ‘tight’ with muscle tension.
As years progressed, Mike experienced greater difficulties with walking, primarily as a result of experiencing continuing muscle tension in his affected leg (this is a common scenario for the stroke patient).
After consulting various ‘experts’ in the field of stroke, Mike eventually turned to natural stroke therapist Walter Kocken, author of Stroke: How to Reduce the Risk and Promote Recovery – Naturally whose first thoughts concerning Mike appear as follows:
“Mike’s body was rigid with tension, especially his affected shoulder, arm, hand, hip, groin and the leg itself. For a stroke patient, Mike walked at a rapid rate, his affected leg straining to keep pace with his speed.
Mike has difficulty in just climbing a few steps at a time, despite assistance from hand railings. Physically he seems capable of accomplishing this task, but mentally he appears to develop a mental ‘block’ that needs further understanding.”
Mike was instructed in learning how to reduce muscle tension in the affected body with Relaxation Techniques, especially whilst seated or lying down. When walking, Mike was to slow his pace dramatically, realising how this action ultimately reduces muscle tension in the affected leg/body.
Walter is also aware that groin tension is a major obstacle in walking with any degree of comfort, He is confident that stroke patients can learn how to significantly reduce tension in this area.
Concerning climbing a few steps with the support of a handrail, it was discovered that a fall many years earlier had made Mike anxious. By going through this task with the support of his therapist, Mike became able to overcome his mental ‘block’ of steps. With practice, crossing a road and walking in a crowded environment became easier tasks to perform.
After months of support, Mike eventually could reduce muscle tension in his affected body, walk with greater ease and comfort at a slower pace, and gradually overcome his anxiety attacks that so debilitated him.
