So I just recently returned from my annual neurologist’s visit for PD testing. As most of you know, one of the tests involves the neurologist checking your stability. He or she stands in back of you, places both hands on your shoulder and tries to pull you backwards to see if he can knock you off balance.

I am a slow learner and have been practicing tai chi for many months now and I’m still not that far into it. Before my visit I happened to read a small booklet “Tai Chi for Parkinson’s disease”, written by Daniel Loney. He talks about passing the neurologists test by pretending you are a tree with roots going deep into the ground. Your body is like the trunk softly swaying in the wind. And so when the doctor pulls you back, it will be a lot harder to pull you off balance.

So I tried it. For me balance is an issue, so I visualized myself as a tree with roots going deep down into the ground of the doctor’s office. And sure enough, amazingly I held my ground. Of course the practical application of this is in everyday living - to become more aware of the relationship between one’s body and the surrounding environment.

And now back to tai chi practice!

Strange? Not really. Tai Chi ?, I don't know. I've had pD for 20+ yrs and presently @ an advanced stage. Dr. has never caused me to loose balance with the push/pull test.

Consider yourself lucky! I've done this test 7 or more times with my neuro, always losing balance until this last time...

Lucky ?? No,No,No, Just seems PD has a different menu for each of us individually.