Which kind of PT is best for PD patients? Should I get in the water or stay on land" Sally Sun

[SallyS]

[shasha]

WELL SALLY IF YOU CAN STILL SWIM THEN THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERRED EXCERCISE - BUT I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SWIM - NO CO-ORDNATION - SO I WEAR A LARGE TYRE AND PRACTICE WALKING AND BYCYCLING IN THE DEEPER WATER - ALSO HAD SOME BETTER LUCK WITH USING A SNORKEL !!

[Hidden]

I've always heard that swimming is best for your body, even if you are healthy.

Would love to swim, but prefer to exercise at home.

[etterus]

If you are a great swimmer it is likely to help endurance, coordination and range of motion, especially your shoulders. It is also helpful for weight bearing orthopedic issues that are too painful on the ground.

In that water is fluid, there is not likely to be enough resistance to improve strength of the leg muscles. It takes loading of the muscle to increase strength, hence weights or body weight repetitively.

The other issue is balance. The buoyancy of water is helpful but the needed skills are best refined on a full weight bearing level surface. Train the deficits in the real environment.

It would likely be great to do both... especially if your having fun.

[Jerebet]

ktbs.com/health/30446197/de...

Tai chi (ty-CHEE'), with its slow, graceful movements, has been shown to improve strength and aid stability in older people, and has been studied for a number of ailments. In the latest study, led by Fuzhong Li of the Oregon Research Institute in Eugene, tai chi was tested in 195 people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's.

After six months of classes, the tai chi group did significantly better than the stretching group in tests of balance, control, walking and other measures. Compared with resistance training, the tai chi group did better in balance, control and stride, and about the same in other tests.

[par004 in reply to Jerebet]

Did you take part in the Oregon Research Trial? I did, but in the "strength" version, not tai chi. I got good results but not as good as those in tai chi. I have since pursued tai chi with great results.

[jillannf6]

i agree tai chi si great but swimmign too is good ( I cannot swim anhy more as i cannot co 0ordinate myh hadnd and leg movements)

adn despite the buoyancyof the water i ias floundering a lto and it rather frightened me

lvoe jill

[Anemone in reply to jillannf6]

tai chi and swimming. Both good for balance, coordination, and strength. The water gives good resistance and if you fall down, who cares? There are also styrofoam weights to be used. Stay out of the deep end. Try an aquacise class by the arthritis foundations. Great. Chair yoga and tai chi are also wonderful. Granted, these are both difficult for me, but they help a lot.

[maryalice]

I've had PD for about13 years and I can hardly walk at all. If I do then it's only for a short while. What am I doing wrong?

[etterus]

Maybe nothing wrong... Have you seen a PT that is PD wise?

[maryalice]

I went to a PT that were trained for PD for awhile, but they closed down. That was about a year ago. I stayed pretty active. I've just not been able to walk for about a month.

[Anemone in reply to maryalice]

see your movement-disorder neurologist. Have your problems been leg/balance related? I've had days when I couldn't walk, and upon reflection, realized I'd overdone it--wiped out. Good luck.

[maryalice in reply to Anemone]

Thanks for the good advice.I think it is a balance issue because my right foot is turning on the side. I'm still trying to find a movement disorder specialist in my area.

[bawford]

All your suggestions are wonderful. Here's one I would higly recommend - the LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD. I personally have taken both and exercise daily using the skills they taught me. My family does not say 'hu and what as much'. And I have not used my cane in 8 months.

A member of our support group - age 84 - WAS wheelchair bound just before Thanksgiving. We had a speaker come in to inform us on LSVT - she took the course and on February 9 she WALKED with the assistance of a cane. Her complextion was clearer, eyes brighter and she just had that spunk again. Her husband also has his 'little lovely lady' back again. Praise God!!

It not only helps your movement and speaking louder, but the confidence, motivation, and security is priceless. I have copied the info off the site. Believe me - it is well worth clicking on the the video's and looking into.

Rehabilitative Therapy for People with Parkinson’sLSVT (Lee Silverman)

lsvtglobal.com

LSVT® Global pioneered the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), an innovative and clinically-proven method for improving voice and speech in individuals with Parkinson disease. Today, LSVT Global specializes in the development of innovative and effective treatments for the speech communication (LSVT LOUD) and physical/occupational therapy (LSVT BIG) needs of individuals with Parkinson disease as well as aging and other conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome. Our mission is to use technology to provide unlimited access to proven treatments for all who can benefit.

[maryalice in reply to bawford]

i also took the Lee Silverman physical and voice therapy classes. It's a wonderful program. The place where I was taking it went out of business and I haven't been able to locate another one. I'll check out the link you sent. Thanks!

[Koko]

Sally, I love the water programs that are available at most city pools or YWC A s.; THEy have stretching and motion and muscle exercises. THe beauty of these is that there is no pounding on your knees or hips yet they produce the same amount of results as land exercises. I love my classes and time in the pool. Give it a try, and good luck!