Category Archives: music and Parkinson’s

Music Reverses Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease Instantly

Hi Robert, some weeks ago  I sent you a mail telling you my method to improve my walking especially in ff times.  Here is a short video showing me first walking without the music – then  afterwards walking with music.

You can very well see in this video the result on my walking when I listen with concentration to  the music. I would love other PD persons having problems with walking to have the same possibility of walking much better and for a Long time. The music has to be very Rhythmik with about 105 Beats per minute on the Metronom.

There is no medicine that can make me walk immediately – so I ask myself why nobody prescribes the Radetzky March to me ……….

What do you think about the result ?

Gerdi

Response:

This amazing video speaks for itself! If you have any questions, Gerdi invites you to email her directly if you need more information about this natural, safe, fun and 100% effective solution :  gerdi@barnstorf.at

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

[flashvideo filename=videos/Gerdi1.flv image=videos/Gerdi1.jpg /]

 

Music as Therapy for Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

I  got Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago and have decided to get rid of it !!!! I have started to seriously practice chineng qi-gong and hope I will be able to reduce my medication soon. I do not have the shivering version of PD but the moving disorder. In off times I can hardly walk but under medication I am doing not so bad.

I have developed a very interesting  way of being able to walk when I can`t walk. it is listening with mp3 player to specially rhythmic music at 104 metronome beats per minute  like the Radetzky march by Strauss.

I concentrate on the music and I start as if  everything would be normal. Other people should try it. My experience of walking  with marching music has been really incredible because there is no  medicine that would make it possible for me to walk immediately during an off period.

Gerdi

Thanks for giving me permission to post your most fascinating report of how music makes it possible to you to walk during your off periods.  How cool is that!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
www.pioneersofrecovery.com

Inspired to Create

I have been a songwriter for about 12 years.  My Parkinson’s was diagnosed in Feb of 2009, however, my first symptoms were in Sept/Oct 2006.  At that time, my songwriting kicked into a very high gear.  Incredible hooks were just there.  I began pursuing the craft like I have never done before.  Going to Nashville every quarter to pitch my songs, attending every possible local songwriting event in AZ, networking like never before and writing some pretty cool music.

My husband was diagnosed with 4th stage small cell prostate cancer in Jan 2006. I was his 24/7 caregiver along with holding down a full time project manager job.  I believe it was the stress I was experiencing at that time in my life that kicked off the Parkinsons.  In October 2006, we moved to Columbia, SC to give my husband relief from the heat in AZ. He passed in Feb 2007.  Now, here it is, almost Oct 2009.  I am in the process of obtaining disability as my speech is very rapid and slurred, and impairs my ability to hold meetings via the phone or in person.  There is also some seizures of the hands and there are days when the walking is a shuffle.  Anyway, I am going to move back to Nashville, TN and write music full time.

The tremendous ‘push’ I gave to the music back in 2006 has paid off.  I have my first cut of a song I co wrote with a Nashville writer.  This is a major event for any songwriter.  The CD is scheduled to be released in October of this year.  I have also continued to slowly climb my way up this very high and steep mountain and am writing with writers that have major cuts.  And let me tell you, talk about a fine line between genius and insanity.. these incredibly talented people are there..and damn, I fit in amazingly well..kind of scary really.

I feel so at peace with this decision.  The finances will be tight, but hey, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are pretty tasty!  I am driving to Nashville next weekend to pick out a rental home.  As I pack up from my rental home here in Columbia, SC, I find myself purging so much stuff…the local Goodwill people wave as I drive up and the shredder is working OT.  It’s almost like a cleansing of the soul.  You know what I mean?

It was meant to be.  My influence is my mother (who lives with me and is excited to be going back to Nashville).  She was a songwriter, although she did not have a cut, she always made sure we had music in our lives. I learned accordion, self taught myself guitar and piano.   In fact, your most recent article on drumming hit home as well.  I was a professional drummer for many years!  I found myself tapping out the paradiddles after I read your article the other night.  It was soothing to the brain.

I find your articles most refreshing in that they hit home.  I believe I was always ‘wired internally’ for Parkinson’s.  Always needed less sleep than others, always about ’12 degrees off center’, always the ‘weird kid’, always not just thinking outside the box, but on some days ‘destroying the box’!   It just found its way to the surface this year.

I continue with my challenges, but hey, it sure as heck beats the alternative.

Thank you for ALL that you do.  You are truly an inspiration!!

A Parkie and proud of it!

Rose

Music and Parkinson’s

Comment:

I have a little experience with music therapy. Last Winter, I happened to meet someone who studies music therapy, and he believed that it can help any condition. I did a little search on this and found that lively music is good for people with Parkinson’s.  This particular article said not to expect results right away.

I found a radio station that had lively music most of the time and listened in the car for a few months. That was a start but not a very satisfactory one because I didn’t enjoy the music. Then, someone gave me a CD of dulcimers and string band, which I liked and found delightful. Much of it is “toe-tapping”, so I would want to tap my foot, my left foot, which is my affected side, drawing forth a response.
 
I believe that the tapping got better over time because it was uncomfortable at first, and then it gradually became more fun. My neurologist had given me an article about music and Parkinson’s. It made one point: that the responses to music are spontaneous, and that the “letting go” response is different from the attempt at conscious effort. People with Parkinson’s can get up and dance when asked (if they like dancing), whereas the same people might have difficulty doing many things.

I did some conscious toe-tapping in the car to the dulcimer music, but it was better when it “just happened,” giving that automatic response some exercise. One of my neurologist’s tests is lifting the (left) heel off the floor rapidly. I did that better for him on my last visit, and we both noticed that I did it more strongly and more easily. Thanks for always empasizing symptoms instead of a disease.

I received encouragement today on my walking. For the last two times going out, I noticed some “going back” of my left arm as well as the little bit forward. The back swing was new. Today, some REAL forward motion, that I did not produce, kicked in.
 
I so appreciate the doors that you have opened to me.
 
Alan

Music Therapy

Ever wonder whether music can help give relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s? The answer is yes! There lies the potential that music therapy can provide a huge benefit which can help sustain health and wellness.

Listen to Parkinsons Recovery on Blog Talk Radio

On my radio program this morning I interview Dr. Wendy Magee, international expert on music therapy from the Institute of Neuropalliative Rehabilitation in London. The website links she refers to in the interview are listed below.

Information on Music / Music Therapy and Neurology

http://www.rhn.org.uk/institute/musictherapy

The Institute of Neuropalliative Rehabilitation is home to an informative website about the use of music and music therapy for people living with acquired neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke and other acquired brain injuries. The website outlines the work of the Music Therapy Neurology Network, a global virtual network which shares information and knowledge about music and neurology. Anyone is welcome to join this network – whether music therapy professional, person with neurological illness, carer or research/clinical professional interested in music and neurology. Although the website content is currently largely geared to professionals, new pages will be added in the near future specifically for people living with neurological illness and their carers. The website has a a wealth of information on published research on Music Therapy and neurology, links to Music Therapy organisations around the world, and links to other websites on music and neurology.

http://www.musichaspower.org

This is the website for the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function based at Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx, New York, directed by Dr. Connie Tomaino. This website has a wealth of information about music therapy in neurology for professionals, people with neurological illness and their careers.

http://www.colostate.edu/depts/cbrm/

The Center for Biomedical Research in Music. This website has useful information for those interested in research and evidence-based practice in music therapy and neurology, including lists of publications in areas of related research. It also has information about the Neurologic Music Therapy training (NMT) at the ‘Robert F. Unkefer’ Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy.

http://www.neurosong.com/index.php

Neurosong Music Therapy aims to continuously use music as an innovative treatment tool grounded in scientifically-validated, neurologic-based research. The website provides useful information and strives to enhance the public awareness and credibility of music therapy as a necessary and unique treatment modality.

http://www.neuromusica.org

Neuromúsica es el primer sitio referencial en español dedicado a difundir los beneficios de la neuromusicoterapia (NMT) y los efectos y estudios de la música en el área de las Neurociencias. Fue creado en el año 2008 para desarrollar el crecimiento de la MT y promover la cooperación entre países de América Latina, siendo un sitio para el intercambio de la información y las experiencias internacionales. Asimismo, para colaborar en la educación y especialización en NMT.

Neuromusica is the first website in Spanish dedicated to outlining the benefits of music therapy in neurology and the study of music in the neurosciences. It collaboration across the South American countries, it aims to exchange information and experiences in music therapy and neurology.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

Problem Walking?

Question:

My Parkinson has been hovering for months now.  I have rather rapidly had to have help walking.    So now my devoted wife Liz has to get me started by the old Army method “hut one hut two.”
 
I do have an appointment Feb. 19 with my neurologist.  He has had the medicines I’ve been taking gradually phased out. Then on Feb. 19 he will introduce my system to a new and different drug which has some notable success.

My problem is how do I stand (e.g. survive) till then?  Sinemet is what I have to rely on till then.  (A urologist has me on two drugs to confine urology problems.  So far this seems to be satisfactory)

I will appreciate your suggested road to nirvana.  My wonderful wife is 81 years old and in July I will catch her.

Response:
I have several suggestions for you to consider, though I am not absolutely clear what symptom precisely you want help with. I understand walking is a problem, so let me focus on that symptom.
 
Suggestion Set One:
Do you have a tennis ball or a rubber ball of any type? When you walk, bounce the ball just like you did when you were a boy, Bounce the ball on the ground as you walk. If that doesn’t help – throw it into the air as you walk. 


There is also a plastic ball which you find at fairs which has a rubbery string or chain that is attached to the ball itself. You put the rubbery string around your hand and throw the ball toward the ground as you walk (though the ball does not touch the ground). It is great fun – and it helps mobility greatly. (This brilliant suggestions is inspired by Hans from Holland.) Instead of walking with a cane or walker (where people perceive there is an old person attempting to walk) you are bouncing a ball like a child (so people perceive a youthful energy – and so do you!). 

 

Play music while you walk and your mobility will improve. Listen with an ipod. Your wife is helping you with the music of her marching orders, but she can’t sing every step you walk (unless she has tireless vocal cords). Listening to music while you walk is also a great help, especially music that has a beat to it. 
 
Suggestion Set Two:
Nitendo Wii. Ever heard of it? Young people know about it. You play games like tennis which require you to exercise your balance. Buy a wii game and try it out. You can always purchase it on a 30 day warranty so if it doesn’t work for you, just return it. Play a game (whatever you are called to play) every day, Have fun. Watch your mobility improve. 
 
Suggestion Set Three:
Natural herbs can be a huge benefit for the problem you describe. I will be posting an interview with a herbalist next week (Andrew Bentley) which you should find intriguing. Andrew discusses various natural herbs which are very helpful for the problem you describe. He gets great results helping peopkle with parkinsons using herbs I have never heard about before. Membership costs a token $1 for the first 30 days. Check out the interview to be posted next week. The signup page is:
 
 
Hopefully, three times is a charm and one of these ideas will be a winner for you,
 
All the best,
 
Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery 
© 2009 Parkinsons Recovery
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