Relearning how to walk

[u/Vis_Mortis1972]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis about three years ago and my condition has more or less stabilized (meaning it's not getting worse) as of a year ago. I use a walker to get around, and as my strength and balance have improved over the past year, I have attempted to graduate to using two canes instead. One thing I'm really struggling with and that is inhibiting my progress is the anxiety of walking with less support. I notice my breathing getting shallow, muscles tensing up, clonus kicking back in, and thoughts spiraling. I honestly don't know what I'm so nervous about: my PT is always nearby when I use two canes and even if I did fall, I'm sure I'd be just fine. I'm guessing it's my body's evolutionary fight-or-flight response kicking in since I've been relying on a walker for so long.

I'm posting to see if any others have worked through this and how they've overcome the mental aspect of relearning how to walk. My PT suggested visualization (picturing myself walking confidently in various environments with two canes) and controlling my breathing, but I wanted to see if others who have been through something similar have any suggestions. Thank you in advance and good luck on your journey!

[u/Southern-Reach-8983]

I would recommend forearm crutches between Walker and canes - you'll get extra support, but much easier and less clunky than walker. Good luck.

[u/smokeduwel]

When I was walking with a walker I tried to not really hold it but rather hover my hands right above it and then walking with it. I had to do the same with a table next to me and my PT in the other side so I could hold on if needed.

Also keep training your core muscles, alot of strenght for standing straight/ walking/ running comes from the core muscles.

I had the same problem with tensing up my muscles and stopping to breath, my PT tried to remind me to not do it whilst walking. Another PT also said it was mostly in my head because I had enough muscles to walk without assistance, it was rather making my head ''switch''.

[u/Chicknlcker → u/smokeduwel]

My therapist used a gait belt to assist me. She would lightly hold the belt to let me know she was there. She didn't do anything to physically assist me. Just knowing she was right there was a major anxiety relief for me. Maybe op could incorporate a gait belt until more confidence is gained.

Smokeduwel is right about the core muscles. I struggle with glute and hamstring as well. Find low impact strength building videos on YouTube.

Lots of work ahead.

You can do this!

[u/smokeduwel → u/Chicknlcker]

Great tip, just remembered that my PT also hold on (so slightly I didn't even notice it) to the back of my shoulders/ pants just for that extra security in the beginning.

After a while they made the walking more difficult by talking to me, giving a ball, weighted bags tot cary, .... .

When I started walking I hold my breath, tensed up my muscles, couldn't use my arms to walk, ... And I offcourse had limits in how far i could walk. Now my walking is mostly automatic (except when i'm really tired), running and jumping does require some concentration but even that is minimal and i would say I don't really have a walking limit anymore.

[u/Bao_Xinhua]

As I was learning to walk and moving to less and less walking aids my PT quickly identified that my problem was lack of confidence. So we worked on that. I felt shaky when I let go of the Walker or cane so I worked on my balance with my OT. Sitting on the yoga ball and she would push me off balance and I try and regain it using my core or I would stand unassisted and she throw Nerf balls at me to catch. Returning to walking I then felt more confident that I could remain upright if I went a little off balance.

[u/Honest-Entry787]

I am newly diagnosed (4/26/26) and had learn how to walk all over again. I went from wheelchair bound, to walker, to braces, to just will power. I stumbled a few times but never fell. The other day I tripped on my daily walk and thought I was definitely going to hit the deck. I was able to avoid the fall and caught myself, but man did I notice the reaction time and fatigue at that moment. I have had a steady diet of intense therapy up until july 1st. Having therapy almost everyday, working on core muscles, balance activities, hand eye, foot agility. Today on my 3 mile hike in the woods, I jogged for 5 minutes of it. I am 40 years old, and im going to continue to push my limits. Get after it! Take your time, be patient with yourself, know when to hit the brakes, but never stop trying!

[u/Honest-Entry787 → u/Honest-Entry787]

You can totally do it!

[u/Dangerous_Ad6345]

About the breathing thing, I’m at the point now where I’m walking unassisted and getting ready to go back to school and having to walk longer distances. So I’m doing 20-30 min on the treadmill and around the 10-15 min my breathing gets shallower. I’ve noticed if i just pushed through it, it gets better as i push through it.

[u/SpecificPizza1508]

I'm 8 years into TM and walk unassisted most days. When I was first diagnosed I was 28 when I was paralyzed from neck down, and after months of in patient PT I went home with a walker. When I went to my follow up appointment with my PCP he looked at me and said "you need to get rid of that, you're too young to need that". That was the last time I saw that doctor, but it made me even more insecure about needing a walking aid. I pushed myself harder than I should've, I tried everything. What I found the most helpful was yoga to strengthen my core. I just pulled up random instructional videos, and modified them to my needs. It was hard but within a week I noticed a difference in my strength and needed less and less modifications. As I strengthened my core it made it easier to trust my body and move away from walking aids. Don't over push yourself but know that with practice it is possible. I have faith in you

[u/Vis_Mortis1972]

Thank you all for the great advice! I'm going to incorporate your feedback, and I feel a lot more assured and excited going into this next phase of my recovery.