PD exercise classes

[cjsg]

I was at a Living Well With PD Conference put on by the National Parkinson Foundation. It was very informative. The speaker I was most impressed with was Gary Sobol. He Talked about An Effective PD Exercise Strategy, There Are No Shortcuts. This man was diagnosed with PD in 2008. He was to the point that he needed help with most activities of daily living, (ADL). He researched the benefits of exercise, then designed and created a exercise program for people with Parkinson. I was very impressed with the scope of His exercises. He covers it all. Voice, balance, cognition, flexibility. I wish there was a class close to us. That man worked hard to reclaim his life and now he is helping others to reclaim theirs. This is his website.

parkinsonsnetwork.org/

[Helshubby]

Hi , I was diagnosed in 2005 and am still fairly mobile ( i practice tai chi , am learning feldenkrais method, i also run 3miles at least every other day) I think people need to be made more aware of the definite benefits of exercise and i really believe that GPs should be allowed to prescribe it - though how the NHS could provide it is a real problem.

Stay fit and healthy

Helshubby

[Hikoi in reply to Helshubby]

Helshubby you wrote:

"I think people need to be made more aware of the definite benefits of exercise and i really believe that GPs should be allowed to prescribe it - though how the NHS could provide it is a real problem."

In NZ there is the green prescription.

The health professional (GP or practice nurse) issues their patient with a Green Prescription (GRx)

It is a script for an exercise pgme.

If the patient wants ongoing support, the script is forwarded through to the nearest GRx Patient Support Person.

The Patient Support Person encourages the patient to become more active through: telephone calls, face to face meetings, group support.

The health dept has contracted fitness organisations in each area to provide the service. It has been going about 15 yrs.

[PatV]

my neuro's a research PD doc and started an exercise program here in NYC at the JCC soon to be in 4 other cities in U.S. Contrary to what he thought 8 plus years ago when I first started seeing him, exercise is the ONLY thing PROVEN to slow progression of PD (neuroprotective). I'm taking NIA, Alexander Technique, and Dance Movement taught by a professional dancer with PD. There's also yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, chair exercise and support groups for both pwp's and caregivers. I'm so lucky.

[Helshubby in reply to PatV]

Hey PatV , if anyone has a search online there are numerous references to exercise and Parkinson's . All you have to do is take that scary first step and try it out until you find the exercise regime that's right for you . I have quite an extensive programme because i still run (half marathons , 10K , and i think maybe another marathon next year.....no.13!) and am used to training a lot so it's easy to keep going.But people should experiment with different forms of exercise , it's certainly worth it in the long run

By the way , i do Tai Chi , Qigong , and Feldenkrais method to keep going , as well as running and the occasional weights session

[mj2dg]

Hi PatV, I too endorse exercise wholeheartedly. That and baking are what keep me going. I take a Qigong class and a PD Dance class for both the socialization and the exercise. I also either dance or ride a bike on days when I don't have classes. It really helps with the pain/rigidity and mental state if nothing else.

[Hikoi]

Thanks for this and the link cjsg. Inspiring stories.

[pdcoach]

don't know if you have access to a Rock Steady Boxing facility, but if you do, I highly recommend joining one. I am a coach with RSB and we have seen some impressive results. Go to

rocksteadyboxing.org/find-a...