According to The Parkinson's Foundation, nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease and approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with it each year. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease that can limit your ability to move and function over time. Exercise along with medical management is one of the best ways to help improve Parkinson's symptoms. But with so many different kinds of exercises out there, it can be difficult to figure out which one is best for you.
The first step is to understand the benefits of exercise and how it can help. Exercise has been shown to improve mobility and independence, reduce risk of falls and help improve Parkinson's symptoms.
The next step is to make exercising one of your top priorities. Keep the importance of exercise at the forefront of your mind and try your best not to skip it. With that said, the best type of exercise for Parkinson’s is any exercise that you are willing to do. If you dread the mere thought of performing the exercises, then chances are you will not stick with them and you will not reap the benefits.
In order for an exercise regimen to be effective for Parkinson's symptoms, it needs to incorporate 3 main elements: Big intense movements / physically challenging / routinely performed.
1. Big Intense Movements
Parkinson’s Disease makes everyday movements smaller and less forceful and people with Parkinson's may not even realize that this is happening. So by performing exercises that incorporate big intense movements, you are retraining your brain in what normal movements are and what they feel like.
2. Physically challenging
Your workout routine needs to be challenging to be effective and produce significant changes. The intensity of the exercise will be different for everyone and it should be based on your fitness level. It should challenge your muscles and get your heart pumping. Just make sure you are not overdoing it.
3. Routinely Performed
In order to benefit from any exercise program, it should be performed consistently. Participating in exercises once a week will not cut it. Exercises should be performed on a daily or almost daily basis and should be part of your routine. Make exercise a habit and part of your lifestyle.
While Parkinson's disease causes known symptoms and characteristics, each individual and their deficits vary. Your therapist can help you modify exercises based on your physical limitations and symptoms to address your unique needs. Your therapist can also help you advance your exercises over time so that you continue to make progress.
Not sure where to start? Merge Rehabilitation can help. We offer Physical Therapy in the convenience of your home to help keep you active and mobile to maintain function & independence. Servicing Croton-On-Hudson, NY and Surrounding Areas.
