Retro-walking/walking backwards as treatment option

Physical Therapy treatment has evolved to include an interesting mode of treatment to help persons who are having trouble with balance and walking. Recent studies have shown the benefit of training patients to be able to retro-walk or walk backwards safely. How safe and how fast one can complete walking backwards may even be an indicator to assess if someone is at risk for falling. Walking backwards also helps improve a person’s ability to have good balance.

Why do you need to walk backwards?

What is so special about being able to walk backwards? We use different muscles when we walk backwards rather than forward. Retro-walking involves using the gluteal muscles, the hamstrings and the quadriceps. Moving in this direction also engages the core muscles of the spine which are used to maintain balance and stability.

This method also provides therapists with a way to reduce shuffling feet habits. Using your legs in backward control improves knee and hip extension range of motion and can decrease hip and/or back pain/stiffness, and improve pelvic muscle stabilization during walking. All of this helps to improve overall walking speed and reducing fall risk. Some orthopedic conditions or post surgical recovery patients can benefit from walking backwards to improve hip and knee extension ability.

How do therapists help people walk better

Retro-walking/Walking backwards is just part of treatment for someone who needs to move better or feel safer while walking. A detailed analysis of the whole person who is experiencing difficulty is necessary. A good physical therapist will look at flexibility – particularly at your foot/ankle and leg to identify muscles which need stretched. Strength tests are completed to find weak muscles that may need strength building exercises

Functional movement tests help therapists to identify movement patterns and reactions to situations that may throw you off balance. Balance reaction type reflexes are tested to see which need to be practiced or retrained.  There are specific tests that a physical therapist can “grade” your walking ability.  There can be data from these tests that help us determine if a patient is considered a fall risk person.

Walking training

Treatment also includes having the ability to move in multiple directions:  side stepping, stepping over obstacles, and being able to shift directions and speeds mid walk if needed. You should be able to do more than walk such as talking or carrying something at the same time.

You need to feel safe on other surface levels that are sloped (ramp), uneven surfaces, curbs of various heights and stairclimbing skills. If you have a sensory deficit in feet/legs, this can also affect walking and balance skills and treatment needs to be modified for such cases.  Sometimes, adding a device can help assist someone to walk better.  Your physical therapist can assess if a cane, walker or rollator can help you feel safer when you walk.

How is Retro-walking training done

Backward  walking can be done on a treadmill or in a hall with a wall for a touchpoint if needed. Speed and control for backward walking can be practiced.  Backward control  can be trained for multiple components (looking up vs at feet, calibrating effort L vs R side, using assistive walking devices). It is not advised that you try this on your own but with the help and guidance of their physical therapist.  If you are fully healthy with no balance or walking problems then this method can help you too. See the links below.

If you are having trouble walking or feel like your balance is off, contact us at 724-779-1300. We have great therapists who love to unlock the mystery behind movement issues and train people to be safe again.

https://www.optimal-pt.com/you-do-not-need-to-live-with-difficulty-walking/

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-walking-backwards

https://time.com/6975058/backward-walking-health-benefits/