One aspect of Parkinson's is the body's desire not to move, which it achieves by reducing dopamine production and freezing, rigidity and bradykinesia. Playing loud, low, beat-y music at between 100-120 beats per minute while you exercise eliminates the freezing response and allows you to move much more freely. Music at this speed bypasses the prefrontal cortex of the brain and encourages automatic movement. Exercising more freely, while playing music, encourages freer movement to be a habit and allows you to move better at other times. Google will provide playlists at any speed you want. I have collected songs in three playlists - 100 bpm when I want to go for a walk but I'm tired, 110 bmp my preferred speed and 120 bpm. This tip was one of many from my sessions with Dr Farias. fariastechnique.com
The benefits of exercising to music - Cure Parkinson's
The benefits of exercising to music
Thank you for that information. I had no idea you could look up songs according to their beats per minute. Great!
Daph
Thanks for this. Music and movement - (makes me think of Pamela Quinn and Dance for pd! )
How was your time with with Dr Farias? Would love to hear more.!
I was very pleased I had gone. Dr Farias was even more knowledgable about PD's movement challenges than I had hoped. He thoroughly studied where I had muscles not working and where I had rigidity and designed movements to help both. He gave me tips on stimulating dopamine production, increasing energy, reducing tremors etc. He showed me ways to put myself in parasympathetic nervous system rather than fight or flight. I sang, played piano, threw ball, spoke, walked...anything I wanted him to look at he helped me with. My daughter came with me and took 36 pages of notes over the four days!
Can you share more of your tips, notes, please.
Thank you for posting! I would love to meet Dr. Farias. Please share more of what you learned.
He's a quiet unassuming man who is very knowledgable about movement. He changed my attitude to my condition overnight. Suddenly reducing rigidity and tremors was possible as was increasing dopamine production and reducing fatigue. I will share what is useful for all as and when...
I did not know that you could exercise without music.
NO NO NO thats not what I mean.
That song is 120 beats per minute. A good choice!
Now I know why I love my Zumba and shazam (hip hop) dance classes so much!
Please, how did his technique reduce your fatigue? Any advice or tips are welcome...I'm thinking that I should go for a walk now but I know I'll be tired and my back will hurt. PD is such a hindrance...😩
Yoga / stretches are what hurting backs need. If mine starts talking to me while I'm out hiking I stop and do stretches on the spot - forward & backward bending and to each side as well.
There are times when our body tells us we need to rest. There are, however, other times when we just feel we can't be bothered to do anything. This is when Farias's suggestions for boosting energy can help.... walking, singing, deep breathing, being positive. I personallly always feel better when I've been out in nature. Don't walk though because you 'should', walk instead because you want to because it does you good!
Thank you! I'll try to listen to music more and be more positive. How long did you have to wait for n appointment with Dr Farias?
As a trained musician, I seem to be listening to music much of the time. Oftentimes, I listen to music while aerobic exercising, doing chores, movement exercising etc. and I find it to be relaxing and helpful in many ways, including rhythmic, mood, expressiveness, and boosting energy levels.
I'm a classically trained musician too and have taught music all my life. At 69 I still teach piano and train a choir, though my conducting is getting rather shaky!
Yes, I got so shaky and people were commenting when I got up in front of groups and performed ( before my diagnosis of PD ), that I stopped performances for a while. Now that I am on several medicines, including Sinemet, I don't have the resting tremor that was so prevalent before, and even the essential tremor is minor now. Conducting and performing are things I can do again, which make me happy! I'll make the best of it for as long as I can, because expressing myself through music and movement has been with me my entire life!
This is the best post that I have fund here in a long time. Very help full, you just pulled everything together for me so I am going to buy an I-POD as soon as my Bookkeeper / Controller of the VISA card wakes up . Oh and and one of those little ear phone bugs or do you find headphones better ? OK I am off to find some music 120 beats.
MMMMM streaming , I have now determined and must face the facts that all my 45s, albums- records, 8-tracks, cassettes , and CD s are completely and utterly obsolete and now will be replaced by streaming. I am probably going to buy songs that I bought several times all ready. Here we go again , dont you just love it. Got to get my gran-daughters to show me how to download this stuff. I will be dancing in the street again, just like with the Walkman 20 years ago.
THANKS
I use the little in ear bug things. I find 120 a bit fast for my big stride and prefer 110. I should check which speed suits you best as you'll be walking in time to it. Over the last few months my body has loosened up a lot walking with music, my shoulders have dropped, arms swing freely and my hips swing! Best of luck choosing your playlist and sorting out the technology!
no quality of life.
Using the Conscious Brain to Control Our Movements!
Sinemet dosage
