Parallel Bars: A Guide to Rehabilitation and Walking Recovery

For people who suffer a stroke or lose control of the lower body because of an accident, using parallel bars can help them strengthen their muscles and relearn to walk without assistance. Using the bars as a support structure, the patients progress from simply supporting their weight to learning to handle shifts in weight, and ultimately walking along the length of the bars. The length of rehabilitation varies by patient and depends on the injury or stroke.

Instructions

• 1

  Stand between the parallel bars near one end of the bars, with the assistance of an aide.

• 2

  Grab onto one bar with each hand, using your upper body to support your weight.

• 3

  Shift your weight onto your left foot, then onto your right foot, practicing the ability to support your weight unevenly.

• 4

  Shift your weight slightly forward and slightly backwards when you have improved in strength enough to handle side-to-side shifts confidently.

• 5

  Remain close to your aide as you begin to move along the bars, so that you have extra support ready if needed.

• 6

  Take steps along the path between the two bars, using your arms to help hold you up, increasing the weight supported on your legs as you proceed through your weeks of therapy.