Heel Strike: Walk better after a stroke

Heel strike is a moment in the walking cycle at the end of the swinging phase. Contrary to what most believe, heel strike is NOT always due to weakness in the muscles that lift the foot. There are other factors that may influence this small moment in the walking cycle (gait cycle). Learn these exercises and improve your walking efficiency and balance confidence!

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[davidryenolds]

❤😊 I can’t thank you enough for all the help you helped me with. I’ve been in rehab for about eight months. doing self rehab now and I’m watching you. You do a great job helping me. I still have to go back to rehab for another session again I guess but I’ve come a long way from being a vegetable.

[zitaorosz]

I am writing this comment while trying to grasp what just happened. I did the exercises and today while I was walking noticed that something is different while I walk. I was able to straighten my knee, and I I gave a call to my family members to share my big news. I hope one day I can visit you in person Miss Tara. I.‘d like to show you how your videos changed my life. I couldn’t even sit up after my stroke . I did inpatient therapy for 2 weeks, and 1 week outpatient therapy, but all those therapies were useless. Since I started following your videos and strengthening my legs at the YMCA on a recumbent elliptical machine I have achieved a huge progress in my recovery.

[andreazolyomi]

You are our angel, thanks so much, Dr.Tobias! I've been following you from Italy for 5 month and thanks to your exercises I managed to make a visible improvement. What I would find really useful is a video on the whole walking cycle, putting everything together. Dealing with foot drop, (eliminated circumdaction and other complementary strategies) I have to resolve balance issues during walking. I don't know where to put my weight, in which phase of the walking cycle, which muscles I need to relax, how to move my upper body in harmony with my hips and legs... It's a complete mess.. please, Dr. Tobias, if you can, upload a video on this! I'm sure many of us would find it useful.. priceless in fact. 3 physical therapists were not be able to help me, only you, from the other part of the Atlantic.. Thank you 😊

[darkodarkovic]

Great video, in the end I understood why I walk incorrectly, even quite fast, so there is no way to fix it. Now I understand where the problem is and how to fix it. I see that dorsiflexion is very common, as is knee flexion. You gave us very good instructions as a recipe for cakes and now I will practice and I will walk like a ballet dancer. Thank you very much Dr. Tara.

[junethiel]

Hi Tara. I must say your descriptions and remedies are si clear! Very helpful for me at 70 years old. No stroke or spinal injuries, getting older combined with fibromyalgia - the latter worsened temporarily by the stress of losing my husband four years ago and then packing up solo for two relocations in 3 years! The way I sat to sort and pack: legs tucked under chair, hunched over really tightened ankles knees and hips! Where I live now lively paved walkways in scenic gardens, but walking is simply painful. So I will implement your that I will eventually walk upright again and walk correctly!!! Thanks for your generous help!!!!🤗💜

[saltycrunch]

My knees always feel/look bent when I walk. I have trouble dorsiflexing my foot (due to MS) and bad foot drop on one foot. Unsurprisingly, heel strike is hard for me. This video makes so much sense. Thank you, Dr. Tobias!

[fredogirri]

Hello Dr. Tobias, videos like this is the reason that I check this channel out often. You always have informative videos to help me.

[rvvish]

Thank you your videos are helpful while I am recovering from stroke and I am following you from India. Keep making videos

[fps]

You are a "Master Mechanic" of the body. I use your suggestive exercises daily. Thank you so much.
In my 10th month of recovery after two mild strokes Memorial Day weekend 2020. Only issue now ( beside normal sore knees) is right ankle will not flex with brain command. Starting to be able to go down a bit, but coming up is the issue.
Working everyday on it, have many of your vids saved.

[AteMabztv]

Thank you Dr Tobias your videos are all big help to me, I am a stroke patient, I am on my second month and I just watched and follow all the drills, it's helped me a lot, I am practicing my waling the right way, and looking forward to walk normally very soon, thank you again and God bless :)

[dennisw]

Thank you very much for posting these videos. I fractured two vertebrae in my kneck December of 1970 in a car accident.
Your videos are the first I seen on the subject. I learned to walk again at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg. Use of my upper body returned fairly quickly, but I lost the use of my left tricep. I could walk as fast as people normallly walk, could not run at all. Things began to go south for me about twenty years ago. Got to where I needed something to lean on fast. used the handle of a broom to help me walk till I found a walking stick. That winter, I used a walker because of snow and ice. I still use the walker outside, but just lean on stuff when I walk around the house. This is the first I heard the term synergy, it puts a better slant on thoughts of walking unaided again. Seems important to me to learn how to fall properly, and getting up w/o the use of objects.When I try to walk across the house unaided, sometimes something similar to vertigo hits, and I fall fast. Thank you for reading my rant. Again, thank you for these videos.

[melodyward]

As an ALS patient your videos are super helpful

[scottbertrand]

LOVE THIS!! How about feeling weakness in the knee walking down stairs. Knee feels weak and floppy outward?

[teresacollinsporterfield]

Wow! This is something I have needed help with. Thank you Dr. Tabias, you always amazed me!

[em]

your tip on keeping my knee extended its just a life saver..instantly gave me much needed stability.thank you
can you please advise on a knee stabiliser that could worn at all times.thank you

[EricBosse-xn]

Yeh! The last piece to my walking rehabilitation. Thanks!!!

[LUCKYB.]

April 5. I had a strok. This. Year. Rt. Side my thankyou. For. Being here on. The. Tube .

[Mshr]

Omg Dr.Tobias I'm really glad I got this notification 😍
Tbh I've been stuck on the abnormal synergy pattern for a couple of months now mainly with my ankle and eversion
My physio therapist had to take a break because of COVID
This video really helps me to understand how my lower extremity should be.😇
God bless you and keep up the good work 🧡
Looking forward to your video for the upper extremity since I have been struggling with the extensor synergy for my affected arm
Stay safe

[MG-fsvh]

Hi, It’s Mirranda, thanks so much. I also have difficulty transferring weight to involved leg and pushing off. Thanks for all your videos and encouraging emails they have inspired me to keep going when I don’t seem to be improving very much.

[sunilbose]

Giving a good knowledge about this problem. Really appreciate.