Maybe you’ve known for a while that something is wrong. Sometimes it is a new weakness making your regular activities more difficult, sometimes it is a tremor, and sometimes it starts as forgetfulness. Sometimes the physician figures it out right away and other times it takes 5 years to get a diagnosis. Parkinson’s can be very complicated. The word “sometimes” seems to get used a lot in these cases. There are many different symptoms that each person could develop. There is an ongoing effort in research trying to find treatments for the symptoms of Parkinson’s. What can you do?
People with Parkinson’s THINK they are moving normal. Their visible movements get smaller, steps get shorter, voices get softer. People with Parkinson’s THINK their effort and movements to get up from a chair are normal. In reality, they are not physically using enough effort to actually get up and often not getting their body in the right position to be successful. There is a disconnect between what they perceive they are doing and what they are actually doing.
There are a few things we do know! Regular exercise helps to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms. Repetition of good movement helps reduce unsafe movement. Traditional Physical Therapy for strengthening is beneficial. However, specific exercise for people with Parkinson’s has been proven to reduce the physical problems of falling, freezing, and ability to transfer independently. LSVT BIG is one example of a program proven to get results.
Parkinson’s is divided up into different stages depending on how severe the symptoms. The best time to make real changes is in Stage 1-3. You can sometimes make changes if you are in Stage 4 but it will be more difficult.
Now, this is not a one and done type of treatment. It is a lifestyle adjustment to a daily set of activities that can improve your ability to be as independent as possible. Repetition of good movement is the key. This is one case where the saying “if you don’t use it, you lose it” is especially true.
There are healthcare providers such as Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists who are certified and specifically trained to provide instruction on these techniques for improving the quality of movement in people with Parkinson’s.
Any exercise is beneficial! The right exercise and activity can be life changing.
Everyone needs to do their part for success. The healthcare provider needs to follow the protocols the way they are proven to work. The person with Parkinson’s needs to commit to the lifestyle changes and the daily activities to continue to experience the benefits.
With all exercise or physical activity programs people typically lose most of the progress they gained within 6 months of stopping a program.
The keys to success are to find a way to stay motivated and stay with a good program that gets the results you want. It is just as important to get a Tune-Up with your Therapist if you notice you are not walking as well as you had been, you start having more trouble getting up from sitting, or you start falling more frequently. The sooner you catch a decline, the better!
