MUSIC One aspect of Parkinson's is the body's desire to be still, seen in bradykinesia, rigidity and freezing. Music can by pass the pre frontal cortex where the brain is saying 'don't move' and it can get us to move instinctively, passively which stimulates dopamine production from where our body can take over actively. The music must be loud, low and between the speeds of 100-120 beats per minute. (A google search will bring up playlists at the different speeds). Choose a comfortable speed within this speed band. Too fast and you stimulate adrenaline production instead of dopamine production. Load your playlist, put on your headphones and off you go!
THERAPEUTIC STALKING. Mimic the gait of a person a little way in front of you. We are set up to mimic others. In conversation we often find ourselves mimicking the hand movements of the person we're talking to. Try stalking! You'll find, assuming you chose someone who is walking well and not too fast for you, that your body becomes more fluid.
Thanks! Very good information. At my boxing classes they always play fast & loud music & it does help. I, and imagine they weren't aware there was a reason for it. It's good to have the bpm so I can come up with my own playlist. When I tried to pull up your link it said "not found"?
I'm told it is a narrow band which produces dopamine. Too fast for you produces adrenaline. You can check that your heart beat, when exercising, is 60%-80% of your maximum heart rate (MHR is calculated by subtracting your age from 220.) Walking to music at 110 suits me. I'm 68 so am aiming at a heart rate between 91-121.
I agree! If you start to consciously walk differently to the way you are currently walking and you choose to copy somebody who is walking well in front of you then you will stand a good chance of succeeding to walk better. Then carry on with this better way of walking and start to walk as fast as you can, every second day and slowly build up the time you spend walking until you are doing one hour every second day. You will be amazed at what this can do for you.
I like listening to podcasts too. I find that MUSIC is neuro-protective. Combined with learning or movement it reinforces the contacts. I could not tell you the Preamble of the Constitution. but I can sing it for you.
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Help to BEAT that gait problem. 
