No doubt many factors potentially contribute to walking difficulties that can involve freezing, stumbling, shuffling or even falling. Regardless of the challenges, how can you improve walking gait?
Walking difficulties become more challenging with multi-tasking. When walking alone and totally focused on the task of walking, gait difficulties are minor. When walking and talking with a friend while holding a dog at the very same time, gait disturbances become problematic.
OK. So that is the problem. What needs to happen to improve your walking gait? Consider two options.
Never multi-task when walking
Practice the skill at multitasking.
As a side note – men as a general rule have significantly more difficulty with multi-tasking than women so the first option may be preferred for men over the second.
The second option involves practicing the skill at multi-tasking doing fun and engaging exercises that coordinate the intricate interactions between the mind and body.
For suggestions of just such a simple and fun activity, watch my short video below.
Discover other strategies, therapies and programs that will convert walking difficulties to rock solid walking in the Parkinsons Recovery online course Rock Solid Walking.
As my video preview below explains, studies report that Cannabidiol CBD offers relief from Parkinson’s symptoms. Annual Parkinsons Recovery surveys also report success with reversing Parkinson’s symptoms when taking CBD oil. It is one of the most frequently listed therapies reported to be useful to members of the Parkinsons Recovery audience.
CBD stands for “cannabidiol oil”. It is extracted from either the Hemp plant or the Marijuana plant. Using CBD allows the medical benefits of medical marijuana without the high that is associated with THC. CBD in itself has no psychedelic properties and is considered safe for consumption
Abstracts of recent CBD studies and posted at the bottom of this post. Taken together, studies find that CBD …
Protects dopaminergic neurons
Reduces neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress
Improves motor symptoms
Increases REM sleep
Reduces insomnia episodes
Enhances mood
Reduces fatigue
Reduces chronic pain
Helpful for stroke victims.
About Alovea Entourage Cannabidiol CBD
Alovea Entourage contain plant-derived cannabinoids, distinct from endocannabinoids that are produced in the body and synthetic cannabinoids. It includes Acemannan, an extract from the Aloe plant, to help the body’s management of mood, memory, sleep and joint health.
SYMBIOTIC IMMUNE SUPPORT
There are many products that have been formulated with additional ingredients to provide support for specific benefits like improved sleep, mood and joint health. One of the most profound impacts has come from the addition of immune modulating aloe vera Acemannan.
Combining the immune modulating fractions of Acemannan with high quality CBD hemp oil provides a symbiotic impact (1 + 1 = 4) that can dramatically enhance overall immune support.
PATENT-PENDING FORMULA INCLUDES:
Organic Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil
Super critical CO2 extraction
Each batch tested to ensure 0.0% THC
Absorption increased by 5-7 times over other hemp oil products with water compatible nanotechnology
Enhanced Entourage Effect through proprietary terpene blend
Symbiotic effect with the highest rated immune modulating Alovéa AE (Acemannan Extract)
Wonderful cinnamon and tropical flavors!
Recent CBD (Cannabidiol) Research Studies
Clinical research on CBD (cannabidiol) includes studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain. Abstracts of recent studies are included below.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026 Feb 17;19(2):330. Cannabidiol in Neurology: Current Insights and Translational Perspectives
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most studied compounds of Cannabis sativa and has attracted significant interest due to its therapeutic and beneficial properties, which have been confirmed in numerous preclinical and clinical studies over the last few years.
A great advantage of CBD over the other widely known Cannabis sativa ingredient, ?-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is that CBD does not exert intoxicating and psychoactive effects, making it an attractive candidate for therapeutic applications in neurological disorders.
CBD has been shown to exert antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, with therapeutic potential for various neurological conditions. To date, the only drug that consists solely of highly purified CBD is Epidiolex, which is used in the management of severe forms of epilepsy such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Another legal medication containing CBD (albeit with the addition of THC) is Sativex, used to alleviate spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Besides epilepsy, preclinical data suggest that CBD alone may be potentially beneficial in treating chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, or stroke.
The safety profile of CBD is generally considered favorable, as the most commonly reported adverse effects are mild (e.g., somnolence, diarrhea).
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Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2026 Feb;11(1):11-29. Unveiling Neurological Benefits: A Review of Hemp Leaf, Flower, Seed Oil Extract, and Their Phytochemical Properties in Neurological Disorders
Abstract
Neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis present significant global health care challenges, with complex pathophysiology and limited therapeutic options that often carry substantial side effects.
Hemp-derived compounds, particularly from Cannabis sativa seeds, leaves, and flowers, have gained attention for their potential neuroprotective properties. This review aims to synthesize the current evidence surrounding the therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived compounds, focusing on their bioactive phytochemical profiles, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic efficacy in treating neurological disorders.
A comprehensive review of pre-clinical and clinical studies was conducted, analyzing the phytochemical composition of hemp extracts, including cannabinoids (such as cannabidiol, CBD), terpenes, flavonoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. We explored their mechanisms of action through interactions with the endocannabinoid system, neurotransmitter receptors, inflammatory pathways, and oxidative stress mechanisms.
The review highlights the therapeutic potential of hemp-derived extracts in mitigating various neurological conditions. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated their efficacy in reducing seizure frequency in epilepsy, protecting dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease, alleviating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease, and promoting remyelination in multiple sclerosis.
The entourage effect, where cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work synergistically, enhances these therapeutic effects. Innovations in extraction technologies have optimized yield and preserved bioactivity, further enhancing clinical relevance.
Hemp-derived compounds exhibit significant neuroprotective and therapeutic potential for managing neurological disorders.
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J Clin Sleep Med. 2025 Jan 1;21(1):69-80. Effects of a cannabidiol/terpene formulation on sleep in individuals with insomnia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study
Abstract
Study objectives: Cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly used as a health supplement, though few clinical studies have demonstrated benefits. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral CBD-terpene formulation on sleep physiology in individuals with insomnia.
Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 125 individuals with insomnia received an oral administration of CBD (300 mg) and terpenes (1 mg each of linalool, myrcene, phytol, limonene, ?-terpinene, ?-terpineol, ?-pinene, and ?-caryophyllene) for ? 4 days/wk over 4 weeks using a crossover design. The study medication was devoid of ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of time participants spent in the combination of slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages, as measured by a wrist-worn sleep-tracking device.
Results: This CBD-terpene regimen marginally increased the mean nightly percentage of time participants spent in SWS + REM sleep compared to the placebo (mean [standard error], 1.3% [0.60%]; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-2.5%; P = .03).
More robust increases were observed in participants with low baseline SWS + REM sleep, as well as in day sleepers. For select participants, the increase in SWS + REM sleep averaged as much as 48 minutes/night over a 4-week treatment period. This treatment had no effect on total sleep time, resting heart rate, or heart rate variability, and no adverse events were reported.
Conclusions: Select CBD-terpene ratios may increase SWS + REM sleep in some individuals with insomnia and may have the potential to provide a safe and efficacious alternative to over-the-counter sleep aids and commonly prescribed sleep medications.
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J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2025 Jul;47(7):102839. Cannabidiol Use and Perceptions of Effectiveness in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate cannabidiol (CBD) use in women with chronic pelvic pain and nociplastic pain, as represented by a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, including impact on pain and associated symptoms, substitutions for other medications, and side effects.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data derived from an online survey distributed through the National Fibromyalgia Association between April and May of 2020. This secondary analysis was limited to participants with concurrent chronic pelvic pain diagnoses. Participants were asked about their history of CBD use and sub-grouped by use patterns.
Results: Of 1382 included participants, 501 (36.3%) were in the “Never Use” group, 404 (29.2%) were in the “Past Use” but not “Current Use” group and 477 (34.5%) were in the “Current Use” group. Of 477 participants in the “Current Use” group, 80.9% (n = 386) reported pain improvement. The most common indications for current CBD use were pain, insomnia, and anxiety. Participants who reported pain improvement were more likely to report improved sleep (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), depression (P = 0.001), fatigue (P < 0.001), overall health (P < 0.001), and substitution of CBD for at least 1 other medication (P = 0.003) than those who reported no pain improvement. About half of the participants reported side effects, most of which were minor with the most common being drowsiness (n = 138, 29%).
Conclusions: Two-thirds of participants with concurrent chronic pelvic pain and fibromyalgia have used CBD. Improved pain with CBD use correlated with improvement in other symptom domains, such as sleep, mood, fatigue, and overall health. A large proportion of those using CBD reported substituting it for higher-risk medications.
Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023 Oct;8(5):716-730.Cannabinoids in Treating Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies
Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a serious neurodegenerative condition impacting many individuals worldwide. There is a need for new non-invasive treatments of PD. Cannabinoids in the form of cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may offer utility as treatment, and our objective was hence to conduct a systematic review regarding the clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in treating PD.
Methods: Screening, data extraction, and quality assessments were all conducted by multiple reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by consensus.
Results: After conducting searches in 4 different databases, 673 articles were screened. Thirteen articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. It was shown that cannabis, CBD, and nabilone (a synthetic form of THC) were capable of consistently improving motor symptoms more than a placebo. All treatments improved various non-motor symptoms, particularly with cannabis improving pain intensity, and CBD improving psychiatric symptoms in a dose-dependent manner. Adverse effects were usually minor, and, in the case of CBD, rare (except at very high doses).
Conclusion:Cannabinoids have been shown to safely offer important potential in treating motor symptoms in PD and some non-motor symptoms.
Looking for better mobility? Michael Protzel has some marvelous solutions for gait problems.
Innate human coordination requires being in sync with the straigh-down influence of gravity. This enables us to tap the substantial energy generated by the downward movement of our body mass.
In infancy, we all learn this highly evolved skill as we teach ourselves to sit, stand and walk with grace and power. Early in childhood, however, through deep cultural conditioning, we forget.
From the day we are born, we see everyone around us sitting back in chairs, sofas, car seats, etc. At around 3 or 4, we get sucked into this utterly normal, but mal-adaptive behavior. We begin sitting-back with staggering repetition. In so doing, we interfere with gravity’s influence by sending our body mass down on a backwards trajectory.
Our brains automatically react — with muscular strain and skeletal distortion — to keep our head/neck functionally vertical. We don’t notice these reactions nor feel anything unusual. It all happens subconsciously. This kinesthetic disconnect spills over into how we stand and walk.
The consequences are all around us: society-wide epidemics of bad posture, lower back and neck pain, knee and hip replacements. For people with Parkinsons, the consequences are even more severe, restricting free movement considerably.
This can be changed — through re-developing sensitivity to our downward-moving body mass and how it is affecting us moment-by-moment. I strongly recommend you gisit Michael’s website. He has a gold standard free course that provides eloquent solutions for gait problems. www.uprighting.com
Are you interested in rock solid walking? Are you sometimes anxious because of a fear you might …
Freeze
Trip
Stumble
Fall
When these fears rear their ugly head the possibility of falling, freezing, stumbling and tripping becomes even more likely. Ugh! Many practical solutions to mobility challenges do exist. I have documented what people with Parkinson’s report helps their walking to become rock solid.
Click on the image below to register for Rock Solid Walking
Rock Solid Walking Online Course
Selected for inclusion in this comprehensive online course are the most useful tips, strategies, therapies and suggestions I have documented during the past decade and a half. Many are taken from the wisdom of guests on Parkinsons Recovery Radio.
I want everyone to know about the many proven techniques, therapies and strategies that offer the promise of reducing the troubling consequence of falling, freezing and tripping. It is high time to stop worries about having to make visits to hospital emergency rooms because of broken bones, sprains or muscle tears.
The strategies, suggestions and tips for walking have been taken from the wisdom of two primary sources: individuals with Parkinson’s symptoms and knowledgeable health care professionals. Radio show guests reveal how they have succeeded in improving their own gait, walking pace and overall stability.
Physical therapists and other health care professions who work with persons with Parkinson’s symptoms offer practical suggestions that they use with their patients. Image is taken from https://www.chionline.org/
Ease of mobility is derailed when there is a disconnection between the mind and the body. This course covers how to restore this connection.
The Fundamentals
Discover tried and true strategies that make it possible for walking to be balanced, centered, stable and safe every time.
Feet
Feet need to be flexible and malleable for walking to be rock solid. Locations of rigidity in the bottom of your feet give important clues about why mobility is compromised.
Vision
Sometimes a limitation or obstruction of peripheral vision accounts for mobility challenges. Other times it is a question of where you look when walking.
Grounding
A reason for falling, tripping and freezing is a lack of grounding. The human energy field that supports the physical body is top heavy. Discover ways to balance and center the energy field.
Exercises
Simple exercises are discussed that address specific problems with mobility including poor posture, rigidity, freezing and shuffling.
Mindful Walking
Studies report that becoming mindful promotes walking that is rock solid. Become totally aware of the “now” experience rather than regretting the past or worrying about the future.
How to Kick Start Mobility
Practical Suggestions for How to Kick Start Mobility Challenges
Sound Therapy
Research shows that listening to music that has well defined beats and rhythms facilitates a steady and reliable pace of walking.
Light Therapy
Light can have an immediate effect on effortless mobility. For some people, wearing glasses that allow a specific color to dominate vision shifts walking from being awkward to effortless.
The online Rock Solid Walking course is accessible using any phone or computer.
Click on the image to register
Spinal Decompression
Problems with mobility can be caused by compression in the spine which can be corrected with a series of chiropractic adjustments.
Break Down Each Movement into its Component Parts
Any movement can be broken down into its component parts which make up the whole. Focus on the parts – not the movement taken as a whole. .
Solution for Tick Tock Walking
Re-train your body to remember how to walk with evenly paced, evenly distanced strides.
Stochastic Resonance Therapy
A new invention from Germany adds a critical feature to vibration therapy by delivering the frequency of the vibrations randomly.
Chakra Healing
Watch a demonstration of a brief chakra healing using the voice to emit sounds that open up the energy flow through chakras.
Solution for Rigidity
Magnesium is a muscle relaxant and one of the best therapies that offer relief from rigidity and stiffness..
Underlying Cause of Gait Difficulties
What really lies as the foundation of mobility challenges? Answer: Trauma locks up the muscles and freezes flexibility
Dance Your Way to Success
The Tango – among other dances – helps maintain balance and centeredness. It is also fun and energizing.
Issues with Walkers
Are you considering using a walker to prevent falls? Select one that supports good posture rather than destroying it.
Access Memories to Facilitate Rock Solid Walking
When struggling with large or small movements, recall an activity of the past that involved doing a similar movement effortlessly.
Yoga
Consistent practice of yoga helps make rock solid walking a reality
One Vitamin that Helps Maintain Balance and Prevent Falls
You may need to take more than you realize to get the benefit expected!
On Parkinsons Recovery Radio today. Fred Phillips offered his insights into how he gets immediate relief from a variety of his Parkinson’s symptoms. His solutions for Parkinson’s symptoms are novel and profound. Do you ever have difficulty when walking with:
Freezing?
Standing up?
Shuffling?
Slowness?
Leg Cramps?
If so, I strongly recommend that You listen to my interview with Fred today. Click the arrow below to hear the replay. Fred has discovered some powerful, yet simple solutions to these
symptoms that have helped him enormously.
One of now over 70 pioneers of recovery I have hosted on Parkinsons Recovery radio, Fred also previews his 10 step protocol for recovery.
Gait Disturbance and the Critical Role of New Neural Pathways
I have concluded that after a decade of research, most people believe the way to correct gait disturbances is to keep close watch over the medications and supplements they take. Problems surface when medications (or supplements) no longer work. It is certainly logical to conclude that the problem centers on an issue with the type or dose of medicines.
I disagree with this conclusion. Â Even when the underlying causes of a gait disturbance has been addressed and healed (such as clearing out toxins, releasing traumas and eliminating infections) a person is likely to continue to experience gait disturbances. But why is the so?
The body has slipped into some bad habits. The safe and effortless way to move has to be re-remembered. In this video, I highlight a brief clip that demonstrates what one rehabilitation clinic is doing to help the body “re-remember” how to move the right (and upright) way.
Discover the strategies, therapies and programs that will help you Walk with Ease and Confidence.  Register for a membership by clicking below.
For more information about Walk with Ease and Confidence memberships visit:
In a recent Parkinsons Recovery Radio show, Bill Hubert made an interesting observation. People with mobility problems often walk with one long step followed up by a short step. That is to say, the right step is consistently longer than the left (or vice versa). This is described by some observers as a Parkinsons Shuffle. Shuffles can eventually lead to falls.
So much for describing what is a common problem with an abnormality of gait for a surprising number of people. What in the world can be done about this problem?
In this video, Bill Hubert from Bal-A-Vis-X describes a simple therapy that corrects the Parkinsons Shuffle.
What is Bal-A-Vis-X? This is is an exciting program designed and created by Bill Hubert from Wichita, Kansas. I believe his ideas and approach can have a profound influence on the ability of persons who experience Parkinson’s symptoms to find compelling relief.
Do you have difficulty with walking or freezing?
I believe his program offers promise that mobility can be significantly improved.
Do you use a walker?
I believe his technology and approach can make you entirely independent again.
Do you fall occasionally or often?
I believe his program offers the possibility of reducing if not preventing falls altogether.
Are you currently bound to a wheel chair or fear you will be in the near future?
I believe his program can help you become independently mobile.
Discover the strategies, therapies and programs that convert problematic mobility to one that is rock solid in the Parkinsons Recovery Rock Solid Walking Online Course.