Weight shifting is being able to control and shift your body weight from one leg (or arm) to the other. It is an essential component of human movement and mobility but like most things, it’s taken for granted and overlooked while we are in good health. But, after a health challenge like a stroke or developing Parkinson’s disease, or simply being sedentary over a period of time, the ability to effortlessly weight shift (and there for walk) can be significantly limited.
If you’re a caregiver, understanding the concept of weight shifting can help with routine activities of daily living like toileting or walking (it’s also important in things like bed mobility and scooting while in the sitting position). In order to lift one foot off the ground requires a shifting of weight off that foot. For example, if you or your care recipient is trying to lift their right foot, they need to shift their weight to their left side of the body. Conversely, when lifting the left foot, the body’s weight needs to be shifted to the right.
But, weight shifting also occurs in the front to backwards directions also. In order to walk forward, our weight is shifted forward, and likewise to the rear when walking backwards. Also, in order for someone to stand up from a chair, their weight needs to shift forward over their feet to achieve standing.
For those who may struggle with Parkinsons’ they report that they “freeze”, or they may build up a head of steam while walking and topple over forward because their ability to weight shift has been compromised.
It’s important for caregivers to remember that in many cases, the struggle that their care recipients have moving, is not a matter of “weakness” per se, but an inability to safely shift their weight. Caregivers can help their care recipients by gently helping them shift their weight in the proper direction when assisting them with transfers and with walking.