Treadmill is Best Alternative for Unsteady Walkers: MD Podiatrist

Walking is rightly hailed as an accessible and effective type of exercise, but that doesn’t mean everyone finds walking easy to do. For instance, walking outdoors can be scary if you’re unsteady on your feet. That’s where a treadmill can come into its own, according to Dan Michaels, DPM.

Dr. Michaels told me that the treadmill is clearly the better place to start walking for those with neuropathy who can’t reliably feel the ground, patients with a history of ankle sprains or poor balance, and people recovering from surgery who need a predictable footing and easy access to a handrail. “In these cases, the smooth belt, climate control, and the ability to stop instantly make treadmill walking safer and more sustainable,” he says.