Start exercising NOW – as soon as possible. Physicians rarely refer their patients to health and fitness programs at diagnosis because medications are very effective early on at alleviating most of the symptoms, and patients experience little change in function. Yet, according to a recent survey it is at the time of diagnosis that patients often begin to consider lifestyle changes and seek education about conventional and complementary/alternative treatment options. Thus referrals to exercise, wellness programs and physical/occupational therapy would be best initiated at diagnosis, when it may have the most impact on quality of life.
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My exercise consists of walking four miles a day, four days a week.
Casual exercise with a fifteen pound dumb bell.
Stooping exercise as I clean the cat boxes 2 - 3 X / day. I have six "therapy" cats.
Before we sold our two horses, horseback rides were exercise. Mr. Parkinson soon put a stop to that exercise. No serious problem riding but I could see it coming.
I keep watching for those "pearls of wisdom" regarding the experience (successes) of others as to keeping me / us PwP mobile and healthy.
Current personal experience after trying various alternative treatments, exercise is it until ..............
I was referred to a boxing class by my nero. I have been attending now for about a month and don't see a big change but they say it usually takes 3 to 6 months to start seeing a change. I have a problem with my balance and being able to stand up straight. Have had back surgery in 2001 and while in hospital Gullian Barre hit me. Was in ICU 35 days and 95 days in rehab. Doctors told my family I would not make it but for some reason I'm still here. 5 years ago they told me I had Parkinsons. I didn't start on an exercise program right away but wish I had. This boxing class has done me more good then anything, for 1 hr it is one thing right after the other.When I am ready to leave I feel great ( a little tired but) They have put together a program to strengthen the back and help the balance and other things to help the other students. He has 95 students and we all have Parkinsons (we don't go all at the same time.) The teacher and owner is a 2 time world boxing champion..This is in the FT. Worth TX area. He has a waiting list of people .. Have seen how students have been strengthened and I am real encouraged.....
I attended this program and was really helped...The only thing I don't like is you go for 4 weeks, 4 times a week and then that's it...I continue to do the exercise but it's much more encouraging to have this kind of program to continue .....
I'm a retired PT from southern AZ... the home of LSVT/BIG rehab programs. I was a early subject in research conducting by Beckey Farley PHD PT. I have been performing the BIG standing exercises at least 5-6x monthly for 13 years and have not fallen since. They are easy to do particularly with some good music for entertainment and take only 5-10 minutes. It's good to follow up with some dance.
I also perform the LOUD part but less regularly.... my dogs don't appreciate my voice. It does help my speech though.
Hi. This is long, but I am passionate about trying to help other PwP's. I, too, am doing boxing for PD. The boxing is non-contact & it really works well to slow down the progression, as well as helping most symptoms (Balance, gait, strength, etc.) This is not a cure, but it helps you feel better & it's fun. I was diagnosed nearly 12 yrs. ago in 2003 and was lucky enough to find this boxing program in Jan. 2007. The program, Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) a non-profit organization, was started by our county prosecutor that had PD & his friend (a previous boxer) got him up off the couch & started training him to box rather than just sit there & do nothing. After a few months they realized it was actually helping his PD so in Oct. 2006, they decided to open a gym strictly for PwP's. I've just reached my 8 year mark with RSB (11 1/2 diagnosed) and most people don't realize I have PD. Currently, the meds I'm taking, which have not changed in many years, are 2 Azilect, 2 Amantadine & 4 25/100 Parcopa (Sinemet that dissolves on your tongue). The other great thing about this class is that it is a type of support group also because, since it's strictly for PwP's, everyone there knows how you feel. You can go there & not feel like everyone is staring at you, you can talk about your meds, talk about how you feel & get ideas & thoughts from other PwP's just like you do on this site. If you have ANY questions, please feel free to ask me or go to the website: rocksteadyboxing.org. Click on About & then Testimonials to see what others think about the program (mine is under Debbie). Look at the pictures (everyone is smiling) and/or the videos. You can also see videos on YouTube. My favorites are "The Battle" and "We are Rock Steady". I'm not trying to sell anything because, as I previously mentioned, this is a non-profit org. We currently have over 180 people (with all stages of PD & all ages 35-92, yes 92) at the main headquarters and over 30 affiliates in the US plus 1 in Italy, Australia, Canada & I believe one in the UK & we are training new trainers almost every month. Mikael, there is one in TX, but I believe it's 4 hours from you in Kingwood, TX, but maybe there will be one closer soon?
I am going to one in Fort Worth TX . I told about it in one or two above this reply. I have been going about a month and love it, I go 2 days a week for one hour.....have meet some wonderful people !!!!!
Hi RoyProp. I have not taken part in this therapy, which came out many years after I started doing just that in 1999. I have been doing fast walking, while consciously controlling my movements, since 1994. I learned to shout, in order to overcome my faint voice, and I can highly recommend any regimen that incorporates these skills.
I have found exercise the one thing that shows a ongoing improvement in balance and gait.
The exercise of my choice is walking on beach as I find it loosens up legs and forces you to walk correctly . When weather not suitable have vibrating machine and do two sessions of 10 minutes....it really works. I have ceased using walking stick and wear a Pedometer which monitors your steps per day. Thr desired amount is 10,000 per day...I usually manage 3,000 to 4.000 which gives motivation to the day
I also have reduced intake of sinemet to zero but continue to take Azelect and asprin plus victims D. All in all am upbeat with new regime
Finding exercise that suits would be my recommendation which keeps spirits up.
I chose bicycling, since I found some youtube videos about cycling for parkies. In my small rural town (in Japan) I ride at night, since the chances of having a run in with traffic are much lower. Unfortunately, the area where my town is located is very hilly, so it's impossible to find a decent run of flat road unless I do repetitive runs over the same patch of ground. I try to ride 25km as many times a week as possible.
Ever since I started on LSVT BIG I have seen dramatic results and highly recommend it. My instructor at Strive PT was a woman named Janna Barmasse at the Moorestown site, 856-914-1400. She has made a big difference in my life. Tell her Pat Carey told you this! I've had it for 25-30 years and it's the best I've felt in almost that long. Keep moving - that's the key. I workout at least an hour a day and it works. GET UP! Don't just sit there.
I'm not cured by any means but do feel much better. Plus this can be done by anyone not just if you have PD!
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Speech Therapy
Lee Silverman Speech Therapy
Locating PD exercise classes in London.
PD and Speech Therapy
