Exercise: Numerous studies have shown that the best way to slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease is through regular exercise. There have been many different forms of exercise studied to see what their impact is on the disease. All types of exercise, including walking, has the benefit of improving mood, reducing rigidity, improving balance and gait that, in turn, reduces pain. If your exercising is consistent and intense, it will help to improve many of your motor and non-motor symptoms. Exercise causes the brain cells to use dopamine more efficiently. Also, exercise improves the efficiency by modifying the areas of the brain where dopamine signals are received – the substantia nigra and basal ganglia.
Before starting an exercise program discuss your exercise plan with your primary care physician, neurologist and therapist. Before starting any exercise routine it is important to warm up and cool down at the end.
New Pathways by Carol Witham, Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, offers two free weekly classes that help people with Parkinson’s stretch and actively use all of the different muscles groups to keep their bodies active and to refresh their muscles with light stretching and flexibility exercises. Exercises focus on motor symptoms, balance, gait, mobility along with creating mental agility. Also, special movement exercises are provided by the use of the VibroSwing system. Call Carol Witham at 207 – 653 – 1402 for the current class schedule and class location.
Boxing: “Rock Steady Boxing” is a national exercise program that enables people with Parkinson’s Disease to fight their disease by providing non-contact boxing style fitness programs that improve their quality of life and sense of efficacy and self-worth.
Recent studies also suggest that intense exercise programs may be “neuro-protective” actually working to delay the progression of symptoms. RSB provides encouragement through a “tough love” approach inspiring maximum effort, speed, strength, balance, and flexibility. Boxing works by moving your body in all planes of motion while continuously changing the routine as you progress through the workout. RSB classes have proven that anyone, at any level of Parkinson’s, can actually lessen their symptoms and lead a happier/healthier life.
Classes are taught by former and future World Champion Boxer Austin “No Doubt” Trou, and include an exercise program that attacks Parkinson’s Disease at its vulnerable neurological points. The daily classes focusing on overall fitness, strength training, reaction time and balance. Workouts include ring work, focus mitts, heavy bags, speed bags, core workout, calisthenics and circuit weight training. Men and women of all ages with Parkinson’s Disease are invited to participate. For class schedule please call Taylor Trout at 575 – 650 – 0618
Aqua Aerobics improves core stability, reduces stress and speeds up metabolism. Each session includes warm up, cardio, muscle conditioning and stomach toning, and cool down. Aqua Fit class Includes walking, resistance exercises, stretching and cardio for a full body workout. The instructor holds multiple certifications. Aqua Motion Pool Exercises designed to relieve stress. Slow movement in the warm water pool helps you stretch and relax, Channel Sizing Cardio based water channel walking exercises that are low impact and fun. Swimnastic Aquatic Aerobic exercises geared for members with arthritis, joint pain, joint replacement and back ailments. Using aqua weight/noodles to strengthen all muscle groups. The facility also conducts Yoga, Zumba, weight room and cycles. These facilities and classes are offered by The City of Las Cruces Aquatics Center located at 141 E. Hadley in Las Cruces. For a schedule of classes call 575 -541-2782 or visit www.las-cruces.org
T’ai Chi. One form of exercise that is shown to be beneficial is T’ai Chi. It works on gait, balance, posture, and the exercises are ones that cross the centerline of the body. The draw back for T’ai Chi is being able to remember the form.
Pickelball. Pickleball is very similar to tennis, but is a little easier on the body. It combines hand and eye coordination with simple movements – less dashing about the court. For more information see How Pickleball helps Parkinson’s Sufferers
Dancing is felt to be helpful. It improves cognition; there is rhythm involved that helps with gait. Music is always enjoyable. Dance for Parkinson’s Disease was started at the Mark Morris Studio in Brooklyn, NY in 2002. People find it helpful and enjoyable. They have certified instructors in other parts of the country. Look at https://dance for parkinsons.org or call 1 – 800- 957-1046 for local programs
Bicycling: The Cleveland Clinic did a large study with a steady rate of pedaling and found pedaling at a sustained RPM of 80 to 90, 3 days a week for one hour was very beneficial. However, they used a tandem bike with another person on the rear holding pace. There is something called a Theracycle that can be used. It is a motorized bike that can be set at a particular pace. The upper body can be used as well, or not.
Massage: This therapy can help with muscle soreness and tension, reduce rigidity and pain in many patients. Again, it is a type of therapy that would have to be done on a regular basis to have any long-term affect. Orthobionomy is a form of massage that might be helpful to people with Parkinson’s as its gentle movement and manipulation of the body allowing the muscles to relax and release.
ALTERNATIVE EXERCISE TREATMENTS
Facial Muscles -Exercise your facial muscles, jaw, and voice, when possible, to offset the Masked Face that comes with Parkinson’s. Sing or read aloud, exaggerating your lip movements. Make faces in the mirror. Chew your food vigorously and thoroughly.
Speech Therapy People with Parkinson’s often end up speaking very softly, slurring words, or mumbling. Even though they hear themselves in their own heads, often they cannot be understood by the person to whom they are speaking. It is best to engage a Speech Therapist to provide advice on increasing the volume of your voice and exercises to improve your voice. Contact Dora Jasso, a Speech – Language Pathologist, associated with Mountain View Regional Medical Center 575 – 556 – 6620 Email: Dora.Jasso@MountainViewRegional.com.