Parkinson’s Disease: Movement is medicine

Parkinson’s Disease: Movement is Medicine

Parkinson’s disease is the 2nd most common degenerative condition of the brain. For those living with Parkinson’s Disease, it is recommended that sustained exercise is necessary for management of PD in combination with medications. To further explore exercise with PD, we have answered the following frequently asked questions:

Is exercise safe for me?

For people with Parkinson’s Disease, exercise can be performed in a very safe manner. In fact, exercise is vital component of maintaining coordination, mobility, posture and reducing the risk of falls! Collaborating with an Exercise Physiologist is recommended to ensure your safety whilst exercising. Using the information gained from your initial consultation, a safe and effective exercise program can be prescribed to help combat your concerns and limitations.

These prescribed programs target the following components of fitness: Aerobic, Strength, Coordination, Flexibility & Mobility.

Why is exercise important?

Regular physical activity has important benefits for physical and mental health for everyone! Specifically, for people with Parkinson’s disease, frequent exercise participation has demonstrated benefits on motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. These positive impacts of exercise include:

• Posture and balance improvements,
• Reduced risk of falls,
• Built up independence via strength development,
• Improved attention, mood and cognition,
• Enhanced quality of sleep, and
• Improved quality of life.

What on earth is LSVT?

LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD are highly recommended exercise programs for patients with Parkinson’s Disease. These programs are designed to reteach you how normal movements should feel. Due to altered sensory self-perception, people with PD are often not aware of the soft and small movements they are performing in daily activities. LSVT training results in people with PD being less inclined to downscale their speech and limb movements after exercising. This is done by teaching movements that may feel/sound too loud or too big are actually within normal limits.

How Can We Help?

Here at Activate Health we have an ACTIVE Neuro exercise class for patients with Parkinson’s and Stroke. This is facilitated by Accredited Exercise Physiologist’s at our Rockhampton and Yeppoon sites. Our team will also provide exercise education, advice and support to people with Parkinson’s disease. Services can also be performed under My aged Care or NDIS packages.

Contact our AEPs for an appointment to get an exercise program tailored to your individual needs.

Emma Ellis

Accredited Exercise Physiologist