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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.

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.

One of the symptoms of Parkinson's, that is especially troubling for many sufferers, is the decreasing ability to create facial expressions and the dullness of speech that can occur. If this is something that concerns you, simple facial exercises are a good way to increase your expressiveness. You may not think of yourself as a great singer, but it doesn't matter. Singing out loud is good for your muscles.

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.

When you are exercising, safety should be a primary concern. Balance is an issue for many with the condition. If you have this problem, be sure to position yourself in an area of the room where you can grab a railing or other sturdy object to help you. Avoid, or move, things like throw rugs and make sure the room is well lit.

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.

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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