Summer 2019
7
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Exercise and Parkinson’s – Hope and Healing through Movement Visit a pDNextSteps exercise class and you will see a group of adults pushing themselves physically and mentally while executing functional movements like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks. These are not weekend warriors or athletes training for their next big race. The people in this class are people with Parkinson’s disease who are using exercise to slow the progression of the neurodegenerative disease that is affecting their bodies. Each day, approximately 165 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. PD is a chronic disorder that affects a part of the brain that produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is important in regulating our bodies’ movement. The cause of PD is unknown, and while there is no cure, there are multiple approaches to treating it. Medications mainly work to replace or mimic dopamine. Many clinical trials continue to explore treatments, as well as a cure. Research shows exercise is a vital component of treating the symptoms of PD. According to outcomes measured by the Parkinson Foundation, exercise can improve motor coordination, gait, balance, tremor, and grip strength. According to the foundation, when it comes to exercise and Parkinson’s, greater intensity may have greater benefits. Experts recommend that people with PD, particularly youngonset or those in the early stages, exercise with intensity for as long as possible as often as possible. In a recent study, researchers at the University of Southern California found exercise may impact the brain. On a day-to-day basis, people with PD who exercised moved more normally than those who did not. Based on these findings, researchers believe exercise may help the brain maintain old connections, form new ones, and restore lost ones. At pDNextSteps, people with Parkinson’s
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disease experience the powerful effects of exercise on Parkinson’s every day. According to a class member who drives 400 miles weekly to attend classes, “pDNextSteps has given me hope for the future. It’s given me a future I wasn’t sure I would have.” pDNextSteps is owned and operated by Melissa Carlson, a certified Delay the Disease™ trainer, pictured above, center. According to Carlson, pDNextStep’s purpose is “to provide hope for people with Parkinson’s disease. It is an exercise and wellness program that provides not only specialized, vigorous exercise, but also addresses relevant issues like depression, balance, gait, posture, and fine motor skills.” Carlson notes the community that forms in pDNextSteps classes is one of the most positive aspects of the program. “Clients talk and share ideas about the challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease,” she said. pDNextSteps is a full-function exercise and mentoring program for people with Parkinson’s disease. It provides self-paced, vigorous workouts at a specialized training facility with an excellent Parkinson’s disease support group. pDNextSteps classes are offered Monday through Sunday, and include basic-level chair classes, intermediate boot-camp classes, strength training, and yoga. One-on-one sessions are also available. For more information visit pdnextsteps.com. More information regarding the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s can be found at parkinson.org. Naomi Hoyt is a certified Delay the Disease trainer.
What's the best diet for people with Parkinson's? Page 8.
