Making Good Choices When It Comes To A Parkinsons Disease Exercise Routine

By Amanda Barnes


Parkinson's is a worldwide disease that attacks more than sixty thousand people each year. There is currently no cure for this debilitating disorder. Physicians recommend medications that can sometimes reduce symptoms, but also encourage patients to get plenty of rest and exercise in order to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible. If you have been diagnosed with the condition, you should talk to your doctor about the best parkinsons disease exercise routine for you.

There are many stages and degrees of severity associated with Parkinson's. Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist who can evaluate your condition and create a specific activity routine to fit your current situation. There may be certain exercises that you should avoid altogether, and your doctor can discuss these with you. Not only is it important to decide which types of exercises will be most beneficial, it is also important not to over exert yourself by exercising for extended time periods.

You may not be able to start off doing your complete workout. Your doctor will help you with some realistic goals in the beginning. Five or ten minutes may be the maximum you can do without becoming overly tired. It can take several weeks to get used to the routine and accomplish complete sets of exercises for a thirty minute period.

It is not unusual for Parkinson's sufferers to notice a lack of facial expression as their disease progresses. Vocal inflections can change and diminish. Your doctor or therapist may suggest you do a series of facial exercises to increase the mobility in your face. Singing out loud is a great exercise to stretch your vocal muscles. You don't have to be a great singer for the exercises to be effective.

If you have a membership at a YMCA or access to a community, private club, or private pool, there are a number of good aerobic water exercises that will increase your mobility and strength. Exercises you would not even attempt out of the water are possible because of the buoyancy in the pool. A lot of Parkinson's patients love to swim and do laps as a form of exercise. This is great, but you don't have to be a strong swimmer to get the benefit of exercising in a pool.

As a Parkinson's sufferer you have probably already experienced balance issues. You should have sets of exercises that address the problem. It is also important to move any items, where you are working out, that could cause you to slip or fall. Many people feel more comfortable exercising close to a sturdy table or other piece of furniture to help them balance if necessary.

Regular exercising is something some people find they enjoy. Others would rather do anything else. In this instance, you should find another outlet that allows you to move and use your muscles. Some people love to garden or walk. Whatever you do, it should become a regular part of your weekly routine.

Every year more than sixty thousand people are diagnosed with this disease. It is progressive and incurable. It can be managed however, with the right medications, exercises, and attitude.




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