The benefits of exercising to music - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

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The benefits of exercising to music

Dap1948 profile image
22 Replies

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

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Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948
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22 Replies
Enidah profile image
Enidah

Thank you for that information. I had no idea you could look up songs according to their beats per minute. Great!

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi

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.!

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to Hikoi

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!

nelo23 profile image
nelo23 in reply to Dap1948

Can you share more of your tips, notes, please.

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to nelo23

When I think of a tip which is applicable to many, I will put it in a post. As you will understand however, much of what we did was geared specifically to where my specific problems lie and it's hard for me to generalise. As I find things are helping I will share.

Hikoi profile image
Hikoi in reply to Dap1948

Thankyou Daph

Sounds fabulous and very motivating.

NRyan profile image
NRyan

Thank you for posting! I would love to meet Dr. Farias. Please share more of what you learned.

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to NRyan

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.

youtu.be/7bGgoIgYsak

NO NO NO thats not what I mean.

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to Serenity_finaly-1

That song is 120 beats per minute. A good choice!

Lionore profile image
Lionore

Now I know why I love my Zumba and shazam (hip hop) dance classes so much!

nourilo profile image
nourilo

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...😩

park_bear profile image
park_bear in reply to nourilo

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.

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to nourilo

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!

nourilo profile image
nourilo in reply to Dap1948

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?

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to nourilo

I waited eight months for a one to one, but I notice he's offering a Parkinson's workshop in January. Contact him via his website.

ddmagee1 profile image
ddmagee1

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.

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to ddmagee1

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!

ddmagee1 profile image
ddmagee1 in reply to Dap1948

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!

GymBag profile image
GymBag

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

ddmagee1 profile image
ddmagee1 in reply to GymBag

Fantastic!! Enjoy the joy of music!

Dap1948 profile image
Dap1948 in reply to GymBag

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!

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