What about medications?
Do you know what you're taking and why?
The American Parkinson's Disease Association has created a simple table explaining the most widely used pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's disease in the United States. Click the link to learn!
Pilates Masters share their experiences
Laura Gideon, continued
Experience with a client with Parkinson's disease using Pilates exercises
This is Eddie C who has been my client for over 3 years. He is 75 years old and 7 years ago was unfortunately diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Eddie, who was an avid water skier and exceptionally athletic over many decades began his “new” life with Parkinson’s with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. This eventually progressed over time to uncontrollable shaking, disordered speech, periodic brain freezes, tremors and seizures. He suffers from constant joint and connective tissue stiffness, muscle weakness and slowing of movement. There is no known cure for Parkinson’s however he is on several medications that help control some symptoms. We see each other for (3) 30 minute Pilates/Exercise sessions per week to help slow down the progression of the disease in addition to warding off depression. After suffering from a serious fall a year ago, Eddie recently had a hip replacement just prior to the pandemic and was unable to receive Physical Therapy rehab immediately following his surgery. It’s been a arduous journey to get him standing and walking but he builds incredible strength using the Pilates Chair, featuring Standing Pedal press exercises which includes a difficult balance challenge (as seen in the accompanied video). Pilates has been the bulk of our exercise session menu and I have seen not only gains in Eddies muscle and joint strength, in addition to stability, mobility and flexibility but a slowing of his disease progression. However, the best is - the light in his eyes and a smile on his face that keeps him wanting to continue his desire for a life of vitality and fighting spirit. Eddie is a Champion!
Dr. Suzanne Martin, continued
Why the Pilates Method is an excellent training modality for Parkinson’s disease or neurodegenerative conditions
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By Dr. Suzanne Clements Martin, DPT, NCPT-PMA, CLT
The Pilates environment is different than fitness and physical therapy. A Pilates Method Movement Educator (PMME) is uniquely qualified to work with those who have chronic neurological conditions, if they have received specialized post-certificate education in the condition of the Parkinson’s disorder. The PMME works best as part of a multi-disciplinary allied health group who provide the totality of the client’s needs. In this way the PMME adds not only adjunct exercises but an enhanced environment that assists with the psychosocial elements so necessary to optimize the current capability of the participant. In addition, other benefits are:
1. The Pilates environment allows the individual to receive movement education focusing on rather than a generalized cardiovascular and weight training program
2. The Pilates movement education includes safe guidance into rotary motions, helping to reduce abnormal neurological tone, lessening the stiffness common for those with Parkinson’s, and potentiating the cross-rotational torso motion necessary for gait
3. The Pilates Movement education focuses on whole body motion, a compulsory need for this condition, and not just on an isolated body part as is common in orthopedic physical therapy
4. The Pilates Movement education allows addressing time for emotional response and individualized attention as opposed to the time constraints associated with other allied health modalities
5. The Pilates Movement education differs from dance class delivery in that the participant can meet individualized goals for movement tempo variations and progressions
6. Participation in the Pilates Movement environment differs from general fitness and dance class participation in that the focus is not entertainment and distraction oriented but concentration and focus on precision of targets, timing and repetition within the individual’s ability
7. Participation in the Pilates environment with Pilates equipment allows assistance to expand the client’s mobility and speed of limb use in a safe and effective way
8. The Pilates Movement environment equipment use allows strength development using postural musculature as a base, thereby having the capability of overriding initial spastic musculature responses
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