Then Benefits And Concerns When Choosing A Parkinsons Disease Exercise Regimen

By Amanda Barnes


In the United States, there are about a million cases of Parkinson's disease, and every year another sixty thousand are diagnosed worldwide. Scientists have made advances, but there is currently no cure for this debilitating condition. Medication is prescribed to relieve some of the symptoms, but the best way to maximize your ability to cope with the side effects is through a combination of the medication and a Parkinsons disease exercise routine.

Your doctor can work with you to tailor an activity regimen that suits the stage of your illness. It is important to discuss all your concerns and get answers to your questions before you start exercising at home on your own. Depending on your particular situation, you doctor will evaluate the types of exercises that will be most beneficial and the ones you should avoid. The amount of time you spend exercising and the amount of exertion you can safely expend will be determined by your overall condition.

As with anyone beginning a good activity routine, you should start slowly. You might have a goal of exercising for thirty minutes at a time several days a week. In the beginning, you may only be able to handle five to ten minutes of the routine. As the weeks go by, you will be able to lengthen your routine until you reach your thirty minute goal. Warm up exercises are important for everyone.

It is not unusual for Parkinson's sufferers to experience a progressive lack of facial expression. This can be accompanied by a reduced ability to speak expressively. Doctors often recommend specific facial exercises to increase mobility and singing to work vocal cords and throat muscles. Since you are not rehearsing for Broadway with your singing, it won't matter how good you sound to others.

Water aerobics are great for Parkinson's patients. The buoyancy of the water allows them to do exercises that would be impossible out of the water. While many, who love to swim, do laps in addition to the aerobics, it is not necessary to leave the shallow end of the pool to get the benefit of water exercises.

Falling and getting off balance are big issues for most people with Parkinson's. Before you begin your work out regimen, you should remove anything that could trip you or cause you to slip, such as an area or throw rug. Some patients actually attach railings to walls in the room where they work out in order to prevent falls and injuries. Good lighting is essential as well.

If you don't like formal exercise routines, you should find something else active to do that tones your muscles and increases your flexibility. Gardening is a pastime that requires bending, stretching, and can exercise the heart and lungs. Walking works for a lot of older individuals.

The diagnosis of Parkinson's is frightening. Most people imagine a limited future and physical deterioration. It is possible to live a full life by staying active and maintaining a positive attitude however.




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