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

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 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.

A lot of Parkinson's sufferers find they really benefit from water aerobics. While some people enjoy swimming, you don't have to do laps to get a lot out of time in the pool. The water creates a buoyancy that allows you to do exercises you would not otherwise have the mobility or balance to accomplish.

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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