exercise

[JIMOC]

i'd like to know if and how exercise helps free up movement in p.d. thanks

[KemptonD]

I sometimes have a hard time dedicating time. I am lucky in that distance to work is such that I can walk to work, if I start out a little earlier. If I instead choose to sleep longer, I take public transportation. I also am near a park and a YMCA gym where I do what I can. I work around off time foot cramp, and current shoulder strain. It helps. Some weekend days I shuttle between bed and couch. I may feel drained after exercise but it frees up capacity for movement over time.

[Farooqji]

Exercise definitely helps but not clear whether it slows down the progression too. A lot of trials have been carried out by the scientific community but none of these is conclusive enough

[etterus]

There are at least two major benefits from regular exercise. The first and most important is that the degradation process is a loss of neural networks from the brain stem down to the muscle. If there’s no demand for the network to keep active it will degrade faster.

The next variable is the benefits of aerobic conditioning. It’s well documented that the oxygenation of the central nervous system is one of the major benefits of aerobic exercise. These two factors alone are the best way to “ degrade the degradation process”,

Throw in the benefits of mood and psych improvements and regular exercise becomes as important if not more than medicine. It also important that the sessions consist of a variety of events that include flexibility, strengthening, aerobic, balance and intensity that are fun.... it’s not going to be sustainable if’ it’s punishing.

[Hopeful4life in reply to etterus]

Well said etterus! There are multiple studies how exercise improves muscle stability.

Speaking personally, stretching exercises everyday, strength exercise 3×week and cycling @the local gym had improved my balance and muscle stability (not too mention attitude & outlook on life!)

[LISA19665]

I work for patients with PD. Several things I have seen that have show improvement is the"big" program, rock steady boxing, yoga augmented PWP

[Natlp2]

Google "cleveland clinic forced exercise parkinson's" and see this video: youtube.com/watch?time_cont... about boxing.

[JohnPepper]

My answer to your question is pure conjecture, but one which works, for those who have tried it. Look at my profile and contact me. My story is perfectly true, but it is being vehemently opposed by people who are determined to convince everybody that I don't have Pd. The fact that 4 neurologists have confirmed that I do have Pd and also one sniffer dog, trained to detect Pd, does not seem to satisfy these detractors.

Ask yourself why are they claiming that I don't have Pd? If I have Pd and am able to get better by doing fast walking, which costs NOTHING and makes us a lot healthier, then everybody will do it and what will that do to the drug industry?

Why not try it, you will be a lot healthier and a loot better off.

If you think you are unable to walk fast then contact me and will tell you how to do it.

If you don't like the idea of walking, then that is your choice!

[Bailey_Texas in reply to JohnPepper]

Good Morning John

There is no need to vent your anger here it helps no one it does not help to advance your cause.

May i suggest a post for you.

Hi my name is John Pepper and i have had Parkinson's for x years and have found a great way to control or maybe even reverse PD. I wrote a book about my experience. Just check out my profile.

Good luck.

I do want you to keep helping people to start exercising that is a good thing but your posts are so negative and off putting feel people just ignore them.

[JohnPepper in reply to Bailey_Texas]

Thanks Bailey.

I'm sorry that I come over as being angry. I am not angry but very frustrated. I accept your suggestion and will use it in future.

How are you faring?

[Don_oregon_duck in reply to JohnPepper]

The problem I am having right now is that PD has caused my big toe to curl sideways and it is quite sore to walk on. If I can't walk that eliminates a lot of things I can do for exercise.

[JohnPepper in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

Hi Don. I think you will find that the toe curling problem is caused by dystonia. Speak to your doctor. I am able to consciously straighten my toes, which not everybody can do.

[Don_oregon_duck in reply to JohnPepper]

John, I have dystonia in my facial muscles as well. Dr's have not advised me on what to do. They don't know. What can I try to reverse that? Magnesium?

[JohnPepper in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

Don, you are asking the wrong guy! I know of no medication that cures or helps dystonia. I only get it in my toes and am able to consciously straighten them out and put weight on them to hold them straight, as I walk or stand brushing my teeth or driving the car. With the driving it is difficult to hold my toes straight in my show, without pressing the accelerator down at the same time.

[posnerkatz in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

You may be a candidate for botox in the toe curling muscle

[Astra7 in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

Toe curling was an early symptom for me. Magnesium has really helped it.

Strangely my toe next to the big one is growing longer. You?

[Don_oregon_duck in reply to Astra7]

Astra, my second toe is growing longer also. I thought it was a vision distortion. I tell the doctors that when I can get all of these other problems taken care of, I will start working on the Parkinson's. 😂

[Astra7 in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

Isn't it odd! Do you also get distorted vision? Something's the floor goes wavy or my iPhone doesn't look straight.

[Don_oregon_duck in reply to Astra7]

I started having real vision problems and found that the variable lens in my glasses were mostly responsible. I switched to bifocals with the line you can see and had much better vision.

[Astra7 in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

I also have variable lenses. I'll try bifocals next time tho the multi focal havevbeen good for years.

Thanks.

[M_rosew in reply to Don_oregon_duck]

I have similar toe problems. I make cotton-wool pads to separate them. I have also discovered relief from walking barefoot as much as possible, so my problem seems to be shoe related, at least in part.

To go out I now wear smooth socks and flat shoes with straps or laces. Sadly the high heels had to go.

[rebtar]

Exercise makes me feel better physically and mentally. No question about it. I'm OK with an occasional day without exercise but more than a day or two and I really feel the difference in my physical comfort and energy level.

[heidi1]

I am a Certified Delay the Disease instructor.

Www.delaythedisease.com

Check out the program to see if there is a class near you. Many YMCAs offer this program.

I’ve personally seen many PD clients slow down the progression of the Disease and even reverse some of ther symptoms.

A few weeks ago, I heard a movement disorder specialist from the University of Minnesota speak. He’s done studies on the effects of exercise and Parkinson’s and said it’s proven that exercise delays the symptoms. It’s been just in the past 5 years that doctors have been prescribing exercise as a first line of defense to those diagnosed.

Getting the heart rate up daily is key to protecting the dopamine you have left!

[park_bear in reply to heidi1]

Yes, I have reversed some symptoms and I believe challenging daily exercise has been an essential part of that.

Important to find something you enjoy doing.

[Eviewong46]

Do Rock Steady Boxing, or face pace walking. Exercise is the only treatment that can slow down the progression of PD.

[Hamish]

In UK.. diagnosed 8 years ago age 48.. we have to apply for driving licence every 3 years... joined a gym 18 months ago attended 3 or 4 times a week.. was told I don't have to apply for driving licence for 6 years... result ... side effects I lost 20lbs.. 😁 all positive

[Astra7 in reply to Hamish]

Did you tell the driving licence people you had PD?

[Geenet]

I have been diagnosed since Sept. 2016, am 79 years of age and still drive. I informed the DVLA, I also have glaucoma which they also know about, I do have to have an eye test before my new licence is provided

[Fava-1]

exercise improves balance, coordination, brain to muscle response and muscle memory, also improves brain function. Do whatever you can and increase or push yourself daily to do more. Also eat good organic fruits and vegies