When nerve cells that help people walk and speak become damaged or die, the result is Parkinson’s disease. People with Parkinson’s disease face some difficult physical challenges. According to Dr. Van Woeltz, neurologist at Western Baptist Hospital, there are four hallmark signs of Parkinson’s disease:

• Trembling
• Slowness of movement
• Muscle rigidity
• Poor balance

Although there is no way to prevent or cure the disease, there are many ways to manage it, including new medications and surgical techniques.

Exercise Can Help
But research shows that these advances work best when complemented with exercise as well as physical and speech therapies. One study showed Parkinson’s patients with moderate disability had better motor skills after four weeks of physical therapy.

“People in the early or middle stages of Parkinson’s can benefit from a formal rehabilitation program and a daily home exercise program. Both programs, when started soon after diagnosis, can help people maintain motion, balance, and flexibility,” says Dr. Woeltz.

A rehabilitation program usually includes three types of therapy:

• Physical—to maintain balance, flexibility, and muscle strength
• Occupational—to continue the activities of daily living
• Speech—to improve voice quality, volume, and speech rate if vocal cords become rigid

Home Workout Ideas
“A daily home exercise program should focus on stretching, strengthening, and aerobics,” says Dr. Woeltz.

Stretching: Stretches can help counter muscle rigidity, maintain posture, improve circulation, and ease muscle tension.

Strengthening: Improving muscle strength in the arms and legs can make it easier to get out of a chair and walk.

Aerobics: An aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming, will improve stamina, reduce stress, fight off depression, and control blood pressure and cholesterol.

Want to learn More?
For more information about Parkinson’s disease, call Baptist Health Line at 270-575-2918.