Improve life with Parkinson’s through exercise

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, causing a range of motor and non-motor symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, exercise has been shown to be a highly effective way to manage the symptoms of the disease and improve overall quality of life. Western Pennsylvania is within the Rust Belt, which has the highest concentration of people with Parkinson’s in the country. Even though there is no cure for Parkinson’s, we know that exercise is medicine for people with the disease.

Parkinson’s is characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, leading to a range of motor symptoms including tremors, rigidity (stiffness), bradykinesia (slow movement), and postural instability (core weakness). Non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, hallucinations and cognitive changes are also common. The symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary from person to person, but they often worsen over time, making everyday activities increasingly difficult. Many people with Parkinson’s experience slouched posture, shuffling gait, increased falls, masked facial expressions and small slow movements.

If you experience any of the symptoms related to Parkinson’s or are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it is very important to have a competent and comprehensive team of clinicians who can help you succeed: a neurologist specializing in movement disorders to manage the medications; a physical therapist to help with maximizing strength, function, balance and movement; an occupational therapist to help with activities of daily living; a speech therapist to help with loud speaking and cognition; and a psychologist to help combat depression. Getting connected with the Parkinson’s Foundation of Western PA is an invaluable resource that provides education and programming.

Get The Jewish Chronicle Weekly Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

In addition to your care team, intense exercise has been shown to be a highly effective way to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. In fact, exercise can even decrease the progression of Parkinson’s. Exercise can improve mobility by increasing your strength, flexibility and ease of moving. Tremors and rigidity can be decreased by aerobic exercise. Exercise can enhance balance and coordination and decrease the risk of falling. Finally, exercise can boost your mood and help with cognitive function.

While any form of exercise is beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, some types of exercise are particularly effective. These include aerobic exercise, resistance training, balance training and flexibility or stretching exercises. According to the SPARX II study in JAMA 2018, high intensity aerobic exercise 30-40 mins, three times a week for six months decreased the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Aerobic exercise can cause positive changes in the brain. As with all exercise recommendations, weight training (resistance) is important to combat the natural course of aging and maximize strength throughout life. Balance training is nuanced with Parkinson’s as large amplitude movements and multitasking are emphasized. Since Parkinson’s tends to “shrink” movement, physical therapy usually focuses on the opposite by exaggerating large movements to promote brain changes called neuroplasticity. By moving with a lot of effort in a big way, people with Parkinson’s can reverse some of the side effects such as shuffling gait, slow movement and poor posture. Multitasking can also prevent falls by engaging the body and the brain simultaneously and enhancing coordination.

Group exercise classes specific to Parkinson’s like PWR! (Power for Parkinson), or Rock Steady Boxing, Delay the Disease or Dance for PD, can promote all the healthy aspects of exercise while providing much needed socialization, comradery and friendship.

While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, regular physical activity can help to improve overall quality of life and reduce the impact of the disease. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it’s essential to speak with a healthcare professional about developing an exercise plan. With the right exercise program, it can be possible to take control of Parkinson’s symptoms and live a full and active life. PJC

Jessica Neiss is the owner of To Life! Therapy & Wellness, which provides comprehensive Parkinson’s treatment including PT, OT and exercise classes. tolifefitness.com