Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. It attacks the basal ganglia, a region of the brain that controls several stages of movement, including programming and regulating movement during execution.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. It attacks the basal ganglia, a region of the brain that controls several stages of movement, including programming and regulating movement during execution.
There are certain characteristic signs and symptoms in people with this disease. These include:
These gradually deteriorate over time. The main treatment for the disease is pharmacological therapy (levodopa) prescribed by a neurologist. However, exercise has been shown to bring many benefits and can slow the progression of symptoms.
Exercise can also have a significant impact on medication intake. In the early stages, regular exercise can help individuals with Parkinson’s to manage their symptoms adequately, thereby delaying the need for medication. In the more advanced stages, exercise can make it easier to manage symptoms between doses of Levodopa, thus stretching out the increase in dosage over time.
Although Levodopa is generally very effective at managing symptoms in the early stages of the disease, its long-term use brings significant side effects. These are sometimes more restrictive than the symptoms of the disease, especially in the advanced stages, since the doses prescribed are increasingly higher. By delaying the onset of Parkinson’s or increase the dosage, these side effects can be expected to lesser or appear later, thus improving the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson’s.
A varied exercise program is recommended. The following spheres should all be included in the program:
Of course, certain exercises can be risky, depending on the individual’s physical condition. An exercise program designed by a health professional is therefore strongly recommended. This will also enable us to target specific exercises in line with the deficits and limitations observed in individuals with Parkinson’s, which will have a direct functional impact. The physiotherapist is the professional best qualified to follow up on the exercises. Group classes are also available for individuals with Parkinson’s, adding a social dimension to the activity. Just as it’s important to modify one’s lifestyle habits to get as much exercise as possible, the choice of physical activities should also take into account the person’s preferences so that they are more likely to adhere to the program.
Exercise should be fun, not a chore!
At Hexa Physio, our physiotherapist Kevin Paquet is qualified to treat people with Parkinson’s disease. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with him to start moving as soon as possible.
