Excercise for parkinson

[Ronald]

Just as running water does not freeze

So moving muscles do not freeze

Exercise is an essential complementary therapy for most Parkinson patients because movements are affected in Parkinson disease. It may improve muscle joint strength, maximize ones physical ability and prevents further degeneration and disability due to disuse or injury. Exercise also elevates mood and can help relieve depression and foster feeling of general well being.

The form of exercise you choose depends on your own preference and your mobility, but ideally you should pick an exercise that you can do regularly throughout the year - walking, jogging ,stretching, swimming and other activities can help Parkinson patients.

I exercise daily using a styn bike alternate with yoga and muscle stretch using a thereband tube. These exercises help my energy levels and state of mind. It gives me a sense of being able to impact my health by keeping my body as healthy as can and not just relying on the pill to do that.

Yoga and Taichi: Some of the gentle stretching and balance oriented exercises are ideal for Parkinson Patients because they involve slow, deliberate movements. Yoga has also been found to improve lung function and breathing. These are just a few of the many applications over main stream medicines as found for yoga.

Taichi coordinates movements of the body with the mind and breathing and emphasizes flexibility, balance, and serenity of both mind and body. It was found that people who practice Taichi had improved balance flexibility and cardiovascular fitness when compared to sedentary Parkinson patients. One patient stopped using her cane and walker after 3 months of practicing Taichi.

The most important thing of all is to open your mind to do the possibility of one or more of the above therapies as a means of healing and promoting physical, emotional and spiritual health. Find out what works for you and what does not. Trust your instincts, practice what feels right

[Murf]

I'm with you on this one - any form of exerciseis highly beneficial.

Use it or lose it

[MichaelOM]

I am participating in a study with Northwestern here in Chicago focusing on the effects of exercise on Parkinson's patients' brains. And I have to say, I like the effect the exercise is having on my body. I'm about half way through the six month study (just 2x per week, mostly machine weights) and I've lost weight and gained muscle, strength and coordination. I'm sleeping better and can turn over in bed with much less difficulty. I've been in shape before but not since my diagnosis (2004) and I was NOT in very good shape when I started this study. I only hope I can continue after the study is over and they stop paying for my gym membership and trainer.

[ram927]

I concur with the other statements of the good exercise I bike every day that wx pemits and then the gym I work out a series of 4 different machines for about 30 minutes have been going to pilate all are good for you for many reasons and I'll keep it up and look fwd it it every day

[merlethegirl]

Exercise is a must.....if nothing else..turn on the music and dance!

[jillfd]

It's not just formal exercise that helps. Gardening, the heavy lifting kind, helps me with coordination, balance and strength. Find something you love to do and keep moving.

[CheriH]

Delete

I am 56 years old and recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. I refused to accept the diagnosis and sought a 2nd opinion last week from a neurologist at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN. It was a very hard day for me when the dr. at Vanderbilt also confirmed the Parkinson's diagnosis. One important piece of advice he gave me was that the best thing I could do for myself is exercise. I don't know what the future holds for me, and I'm scared; but I immediately took his advice and started exercising. merlethegirl you are so right...that's exactly what I do....turn on the music and exercise! The music helps me get through my workout.

[Susie01]

I was diagnosed almost a year ago, though looking back, the symptoms have been there since 2004.

I was always athletic, long and short distance running, weight lifting, gymnastics and even taught aerobics in my 20's. I have suffered joint injuries do to too much exercise! I now walk and work in my yard, I am still very flexible from all the years of gymnastics and stretch most every day.

I have filed for disability, have my first denial to appeal. One of the questions on the application was how long can you walk. I generally walk/stretch for an hour. My fear is that the denial was partly due to the amount of exercise I can do. Now, this is on good days. There are days when I cannot even walk to my bathroom without falling.

Does anyone have any information of how the government looks at the ability to exercise and denies claims due to the ability to exercise? I know that the agencies live in the dark ages and do not look at it and say that exercise decreases or delays complications of the disease itself.

[FrankBerson]

I go to yoga and tai chi once a week.It helps me with all my symptoms. I have phyiso therapy once a week. and ride a stationary bike 1/2 hr a day. This not only makes me feel better It lifts my spirits.

Frank

[Ronald in reply to FrankBerson]

Good luck frankBerson and Best wishes