Category Archives: Exercise and Parkinson’s

Exercise is Good for Relieving the Symptoms of Parkinson’s

I thought you could be interested
in seeing a short segment of my
interview with Mary (not her
real name) who offers high
praise for the benefits of exercise.

“Swimming and exercising makes
me feel great. And after I take
glutathione I can walk. I’ll
go through weeks were I walk
everyday at the park and I swim
and then I’ll go through a week
where I do nothing.     

“I read on your site, I think it was
one of your newsletters, that
tandem bicycling was great for
the Parkinson’s patients. So, we
go to the park almost everyday
and rent one of those side by side
tandems. My caregiver drives it
and I pedal along. I walk much
better after that.” 

“I do that everyday that I can. Many
times we go down to the beach
and rent the three-wheelers. The
three-wheelers are helpful.”

Robert: “How much time every day
do you spend on your exercise program?”

Mary: “Like an hour a day. I had a
yoga person tell me that yoga
helps also. 

Robert: “You definitely notice a
difference? When you exercise
you feel better and when you
don’t exercise you feel worse?

Mary: “Exactly. Definitely.”

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

Drumming, Dancing, Music and Parkinson’s

I’m a man (57- diagnosed 5 years ago-medicated
since 8 months ago) living in The Hague (Holland).
I really enjoy your Parkinsons Recovery daily letters
and I look forward to receiving them.

I enjoyed your letter about drumming. Last Friday
I ended a course of salsa-dancing for PWP. It was
organised by a dancing-school in The Hague.
The lessons were given at a beach-restaurant.
It was funny for the regular costumers to hear
swinging music and to see people dance with
slow movements.It was great fun to do it.
I cross the streets singing a rhythmic song loudly.
I learned that from a chapter in Olivier Sack’s
latest book Musicophilia.


Thank you and go on like this.

Kind regards

Hans de Rijke

What Exercises are Suitable for a Mobile Person with Parkinson’s?

Question:

John Coleman, ND, has exercises for those who
have limited mobility and for those who are a bit
mobile. He has about 15 pages of exercises in his
book Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’.

Which ones are suitable for a mobile person and
how many or how long should a mobile person
exercise? 

Response 

I asked Dr. John Coleman this question. Here is
his answer: 

“Mobile people need to exercise to the extent of
their ability without causing exhaustion. All the
exercises in the book are suitable, plus walking,
swimming, cycling, Pilates, Yoga, light weights,
NIA (dance exercise), etc. She needs to set
goals with regard to her strength and flexibility,
and see an improvement each month. If not,
she can up the ante and increase her exercise.”

“If she finds any particular movement difficult,
then that is the one to practice the most. The
harder it is, the more we practice it.”

“You may want to check out 
www.parkinsonsrecoveryprogram.com
and see if this is your cup of tea.”

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery 

© 2008 Parkinsons Recovery

Testimonial that Iyengar Yoga Helps to Relieve the Symptoms of Parkinson’s

“I am 52 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s
about 4-5 years ago. I do intensive Iyengar yoga
(which is quite physical) and am fit and strong.
I do two, 2 hour classes per week and home
practice. I will be going on a 3 day retreat in a
couple of weeks.”

“I couldn’t live without it. I haven’t had the
need to increase my medication for a couple of
years and rarely visit my neuro. I really
believe that it has slowed down the progression
of the disease. I think the word needs to be
spread!”

Regards
Deborah

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery

 © 2008 Parkinsons Recovery