Movement is Medicine!
Exercises For Parkinson's and Atypical Parkinson's Conditions
Understanding Parkinson's and Exercise
Parkinson's Disease can affect movement, balance, and coordination, making daily activities more challenging. However, research has shown that regular exercise can have significant benefits for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease. Exercise can help improve mobility, balance, flexibility, strength, and overall quality of life. It can also enhance mood, cognition, and social engagement, providing holistic support for physical and emotional well-being.
Below you will see a few things:
1) REAL PATIENT VIDEOS: All the videos here are patients that we have seen and have been diagnosed with Parkinson's or Atypical Parkinson's Disease.
2) Picture Examples: More examples of exercises that can benefit people with Parkinson's Disease
**PLEASE KEEP IN MIND that any of these exercises may be too challenging to perform on your own. We highly suggest consulting with a physical therapist (and doctor) for insight and guidance on beginning an exercise program!
Watch the transformational video below to see how a patient of ours initially had trouble standing up from a chair and now can stand up easily without using his arms!
Transformation Video
Reaching/ Crossing
Kickboxing
Rotation Throw
Boxing
Forward Reach
While seated at the edge of a chair, take a step forward with one foot and reach forward with your arms. Return to the start position and repeat on the opposite side.
Seated Rotation
While seated at edge of a chair, step to the side and rotate your trunk and both arms towards that leg, clapping your hands together. Return to center and repeat on the opposite side.
Forward/Back Reach
While seated at the edge of a chair, bend forward at the waist and reach arms forward. Return to upright sitting and reach arms back.
Side Reach
While seated at the edge of a chair while maintaining good posture, take a big step to one side and stretch arms out. Return to start position and alternate to the other side. Alternate side to side.
Seated Jacks
Sit upright at the edge of a chair with good posture. "jump" legs to side and reach arms out. Return to start position.
Forward Lunge
Take a big step forward and reach your arms in front of you. Then step your foot back and bring arms to the side. Step forward with the opposite leg and reach arms forward. Alternate/repeat.
Lateral Lunge
Take a big step to the side while opening the arms wide. Then step feet together and bring arms down. Repeat by stepping to the opposite side and reaching out arms.
Sit to Stand with Reach Up
Start sitting then stand up and reach your arms overhead. Return to the starting position and repeat. Try not to use your arms to stand up.
Boxing
Step forward and punch with the opposite arm, then step backwards. Then switch sides. *There are many variations for this exercise..
Jumping Jacks
Start with feet together and arms at your side. Then jump while separating your legs and raising your arms overhead then return to start position.
Jumping Lunge
Start in a lunge (or mini lunge) position with one knee in front and the opposite arm behind. The chest should be tall. Next as you jump up, switch legs to land in the opposite lunge.
Skater Lunges
Start standing on one leg, then jump to the opposite side of the leg that you started standing on. Then land softly on the opposite leg (direction you are going). Then jump to the other side and repeat.