According to the National Institute on Aging, Parkinson’s disease is a nervous disorder that leads to stiffness, shaking, and difficulty in movements, coordination, and balance. Although this disease is not curable, some exercises may significantly improve your symptoms. Physical activities play a crucial role in assisting you in coping with Parkinson’s disease.
Benefits of Exercise to Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Exercises can help Parkinson’s patients in two ways.
It will help the patient to manage the symptoms of the disease effectively. For patients with Parkinson’s disease, physical exercise is a crucial component to maintaining daily routines, mobility, and balance. Staying active can help to suppress many Parkinson’s symptoms. Research shows that patients who begin exercises earlier experienced a reduced decline in quality of life than those who come to exercise later.
Regular exercises slow down disease progression: Improved movement reduces the chances of falling and similar complications associated with Parkinson’s disease. Vigorous workouts, like riding a bicycle or running, can keep off changes in your brain caused by Parkinson disease and aging.
But what type of exercises should you perform? The kind of activity you select will depend, to some extent, on the severity of the disease and your general health. According to the Parkinson’s disease Clinic and Research center at the University of California, exercises should be interchanged and include changing directions through rhythmical activities, strength training, balance, cardiovascular conditioning, and unplanned movements.
What Are the Best Balance Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease Patients?
Maintaining proper balance can be a considerable challenge, especially for people who have Parkinson’s disease. But that does not imply that you should relax and be inactive. Remaining active is one of the essential things you can do to maintain your mental and physical health.
That said, there is no single prescription exercise for people with Parkinson’s disease. For sedentary patients, moving and getting up could be crucial. Several activities can help Parkinson’s patients to attain balance, including:
Aerobic Activities
- Brisk walking
- Using a stationary bike or treadmill
- Yoga
- Dancing
- Swimming
- And many more.
The greatest fulfillment comes from performing some activities that you enjoy. However, consistency is critical to the specific fitness goals you aim to achieve.
4 Stretching Exercises for Parkinson’s Patients
If you are not active and poor posture sets in, your joints and muscles will tighten over time. Stretching or flexibility exercises for Parkinson’s patients to maintain proper range of movement in all their joints and muscles. Flexibility exercises for people with Parkinson’s disease are especially vital to minimize stiffness, improve posture, and mobility.
Here is a list of four stretches that you should try if you are planning to start your Parkinson’s workout regimen
1. Calf Stretch
Regular calf stretches assists in promoting mobility and proper circulation in Parkinson’s disease. It also minimizes knee pain and enhances flexibility in your ankle joints.
Here is how you do calf stretches:
- Stand upright while your back is firmly supported on the wall
- Lift your heels up
2. Hamstrings
Flexible hamstrings help Parkinson’s patients to perform various daily routines, including going back to the upright position after bending and walking.
Steps to follow:
- Sit down on the floor with your legs placed upright at 45 degrees.
- Try to touch your toes, while keeping your knees straight.
3. Shoulder Stretch
Strength and flexibility are crucial for most of the daily routines. Shoulder stretch is essential to maintain functional movements in otherwise stiff arms.
Here is how you do shoulder stretch:
- Lay flat on your back
- Lift your arms straight upwards and rotate them over your head.
4. Chest Stretches
Chest stretches assists in enhancing good posture in Parkinson’s patients by aligning their shoulder blades. Stretching your chest also plays a vital role in relieving your upper back pain.
Parkinson’s Disease: Exercises to Improve Mobility
As we discussed earlier, Parkinson’s diseases affect your potential to move, but regular physical exercise can assist in keeping your muscles healthy and enhancing your mobility and flexibility. However, physical activities alone will not hinder the progression of the disease, but it will improve your balance and prevent joints stiffening.
The kind of exercise that is suitable for you will depend on your level of fitness, overall health, and symptoms. Ideally, activities that will stretch your limb through the full range of movements are encouraged. Here are some mobility exercises for Parkinson’s patient’s suggestions that you can try: walking, gardening, yoga, and water aerobics.
Final Thoughts
If you already have Parkinson’s disease, regular exercise can help to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. Stretching, exercising, and moving will help to prevent loss of flexibility in your limbs and trunk, strengthening your joints and muscles, and improving your posture.
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