If exercise was a pill, it would be the most prescribed medication worldwide. Exercise has shown to be able to treat multiple conditions/issues at the same time which is the only type of “treatment” that can do this.
For example, you might be on medications for Parkinson's Disease, blood pressure, pain or mental health. Exercise can help work on all of these things in one session.
If you (or a member of your family or a friend) have been recently diagnosed or have been suffering for years, you know that Parkinson’s Disease can cause problems with movement, posture, balance and cognition.
Extensive research into Parkinson’s shows that exercise is very effective in helping slow the progression of the disease. Regular exercise can assist you to move more freely, maintain flexibility, find better alignment, posture and balance, and improve cognition. In addition, people with a regular exercise routine have found a general sense of well-being.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are often compromised, and without proper support and movement, personal care becomes difficult. ADLs are activities related to personal care, they include bathing or showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, walking, using the toilet, and even eating. Research has consistently shown that even older adults can improve strength with adherence to an exercise routine.
Why is exercise important?
Increased cardiovascular fitness
Manages motor symptoms
Manages non-motor symptoms
Improves mental health
Increases amount of dopamine
Lowers risk of other co-morbidities
Mood improvements
Slows disease progression
Longer lasting effects of medication
Greater muscle strength and flexibility
Helps manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Improved coordination and balance
Improved quality of life
Over time Parkinson’s medication loses its effect which then leads to increasing the dosage or adding another one into the mix. Exercise can help to prolong this as it increases the release of dopamine and increases the effects of Parkinson's medication, that's why it is recommended as a treatment with medication.
Exercise helps to restore neural pathways that have been affected, exercise increases blood flow to the brain. This is called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to create or adapt connections in both structure and function in response to experience (exercise). Studies have shown positive changes in structure and function in the brain after an exercise session, however this research is still quite new and they’re still working out how to measure neuroplastic changes in the brain but it does look promising.
As Exercise Physiologists, we work with people with chronic conditions which include Parkinson’s Disease and appropriate exercises are prescribed for their conditions. It’s a holistic approach in that we take into consideration the whole person and work out what exercises might be best for them to work towards their goals. TMR Rehab runs group classes and all are welcome in a fun and inclusive environment.
Group Class Information
The class runs out of the Peninsula Fitness gym at Kippa-Ring every Friday at 9am. Carpark on Norcott but there’s a pick up/drop off zone out the front which is quite handy. The class runs for an hour and it’s only $10 to participate.
Exercising in a group makes it easier to perform exercise and it also gives that social aspect as well helping to improve mood and getting out and about in the community. Peninsula fitness is a family owned, very friendly and inclusive environment that caters for a broad range of age groups.
Each week is always different, so your body and mind is always being challenged. We always start the class off with a warmup which might entail throwing and catching or a card game where each suit is a different exercise that you have to remember, and the number is chosen by the number on the card or a dual tasking exercise like dribbling a ball around cones. We then move onto a circuit which includes strength, balance, coordination and cardio type exercises and then we always finish the class with some stretches.
We have been running the class for over a year now and are really enjoying assisting client's progression and improving their quality of life, watching them being able to do things that they previously struggled with. I (Rachel) am an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who has completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the Australian Catholic University.
Working with a broad range of chronic conditions and injuries. I am motivated to assist all clients discover the benefits of exercise, but have a keen interest in mental health, chronic pain, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and neurological conditions where I run a Neurological Condition group class weekly.
Or if you prefer one-one-one sessions we do those too. Give us a call or drop an email for a no obligation assessment. Initial Consultation takes 60 minutes, you can check pricing and rebates HERE. Medicare also provides a number of allied health sessions each year, just give us a call if you would like to discuss our services.
Biking, running, Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, dance, weight training, non-contact boxing, qi gong and so many more, all have positive effects on PD symptoms.
Your exercise Physiologist is able to assist in many areas, by creating a custom program throughout your PD journey and assisting in maintaining mobility, strength and balance for as long as possible.
REFERENCES
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7318912/?fbclid=IwAR0UduXJ55qYn4xaAxwmzrb6r8KQ_0AOtMahT3AQig_ulPKiyTHoaDKKKW8
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2022.796712/full?fbclid=IwAR3frUJ-sJ-mPKPUZFLRMKdC5az6NgQy4Fj7uf-gq0vXer_UoH78oYjLbE0
Increase cardiovascular fitness which is an overall predictor for health and longevity.
Giving the years more life. Fit Is It for Longevity Across Populations∗ | Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Exercise prolongs medication effect, slows the progression of the disease and helps to maintain strength, mobility and balance for quality of life. Chasing Protection in Parkinson’s Disease: Does Exercise Reduce Risk and Progression?
My Partner, who is 66 years old, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease last year. We noticed that he was experiencing hallucinations, slow movement, disturbed sleep, and twitchy hands and legs when at rest. He had to stop taking pramipexole (Sifrol), carbidopa/levodopa, and 2 mg of biperiden because of side effects. Our family doctor recommended a PD-5 treatment from naturalherbscentre. com, which my husband has been undergoing for several months now. Exercise has been very beneficial. He has shown great improvement with the treatment thus far. He is more active now, does more, and feels less apathetic. He has more energy and can do more activities in a day than he did before. As far as tremors I observe a progress,…