Parkinson's Help Centre

Exercise and physical therapy are essential parts of managing Parkinson’s disease. They help improve mobility, balance, strength, and coordination, and may even slow symptom progression.

There is a road ahead which can lead to a vast improvement in your symptoms.

We will work with you and support you on this journey, like we have with countless others. We will help you turn what can seem like a helpless situation into something life changing with goals, progress and positivity.

Our theory for the basis of a sustainable, effective and positive exercise programme is routed in firing the nervous system using our Coordinated Therapy Device.

The Coordinated Therapy Device forces the brain to synchronise hand and foot movements in different patterns of coordination. By forcing the nervous system to coordinate specific patterns of movement, we have found that subsequent exercises such as walking practise and sit to stand exercises are more effective.

We can support you through a weekly exercise plan

Frequency: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week (e.g., 30 minutes, 5 days a week).
Variety: Combine aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises.
Progression: Start slow and increase intensity or duration gradually.
Safety: Supervised sessions may be needed in moderate to advanced stages, especially for those with balance issues.

Types of Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease

Aerobic Exercise

Improves cardiovascular fitness, brain health, and mood.

Examples:
- Walking (with or without a treadmill)
- Cycling (stationary or regular)
- Swimming or aquatic therapy
- Dancing (e.g., tango, which also aids balance and coordination)

Strength Training

Helps counteract muscle weakness and improve functional independence.

Examples:
- Bodyweight exercises (squats, lunges, wall push-ups)
- Resistance bands or light weights
- Leg presses and core strengthening

Balance and Coordination Training

Reduces fall risk and improves posture and stability.

Examples:
- Standing on one leg
- Heel-to-toe walking (tandem walking)
- Balance boards or foam pads
- Tai Chi (very effective for stability)

Flexibility and Stretching

Improves joint range of motion and helps reduce rigidity.

Examples:
- Static stretching of major muscle groups
- Yoga (also helps with relaxation and posture)
- Seated or standing stretches, especially for the neck, back, hamstrings, and calves

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. Its symptoms can vary between individuals but generally fall into motor and non-motor categories.

Symptoms usually start gradually and worsen over time. Early signs may be subtle, like a slight tremor or a feeling of stiffness. As the disease advances, symptoms become more pronounced and disabling.

Symptoms

Motor

These are the most recognisable signs of Parkinson’s:

Tremor – A rhythmic shaking, often starting in the hands or fingers. It’s most noticeable when the limb is at rest (resting tremor).
Bradykinesia – Slowness of movement, making simple tasks take longer and reducing overall spontaneity of movement.
Rigidity – Stiffness in the limbs and trunk that can limit range of motion and cause pain.
Postural instability – Impaired balance and coordination, leading to a tendency to fall.
Shuffling gait – A walking pattern characterized by short, dragging steps and reduced arm swing.
Masked facial expression – Reduced facial expressiveness (hypomimia), leading to a fixed, mask-like appearance.

Non-Motor

These symptoms are more subtle and often appear before motor symptoms and can significantly affect quality of life:

Cognitive changes – Problems with attention, planning, or memory. Dementia can occur in later stages.
Mood disorders – Depression, anxiety, and apathy are common.
Sleep disturbances – Insomnia, vivid dreams, REM sleep behavior disorder (acting out dreams).
Autonomic dysfunction – Issues like low blood pressure when standing (orthostatic hypotension), constipation, sexual dysfunction, and excessive sweating.
Loss of sense of smell (anosmia) – Often an early sign.
Speech and swallowing difficulties – Speech may become soft or slurred, and swallowing may be impaired in later stages.

Treatments

Medications

Since Parkinson’s is linked to low dopamine levels, many treatments aim to restore or mimic dopamine:

Levodopa (L-DOPA): The most effective drug. It’s converted into dopamine in the brain. Often combined with:
- Carbidopa: Prevents L-DOPA from converting outside the brain, reducing side effects like nausea.
Dopamine agonists (e.g., pramipexole, ropinirole): Mimic dopamine effects directly on the brain’s receptors.
MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, rasagiline): Slow down the breakdown of dopamine in the brain.
COMT inhibitors (e.g., entacapone): Extend the effect of levodopa by blocking its breakdown.
Amantadine: Can help with tremor and dyskinesia (involuntary movements caused by long-term L-DOPA use).
Anticholinergics (e.g., trihexyphenidyl): Used mainly for tremor in younger patients, but can cause cognitive side effects in older adults.

Lifestyle and Nutritional Support

Healthy diet: High-fiber and hydration to manage constipation; balanced meals to support overall health.
Vitamin D and calcium: Important for bone health, especially due to fall risk.
Mental health support: Counseling or medication for depression, anxiety, or apathy.
Experimental and emerging therapies

Surgical Options

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Electrodes are implanted in specific brain regions (e.g., subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus).
A pulse generator sends electrical signals to regulate abnormal brain activity.
Best for patients with motor fluctuations not well-controlled by medications.

Physical and Supportive Therapies

Physical therapy: Improves mobility, balance, and strength.
Occupational therapy: Helps maintain independence in daily activities.
Speech therapy: Assists with voice control and swallowing.
Exercise: Regular aerobic exercise (e.g., walking, swimming, tai chi) can improve motor symptoms and overall well-being.

What We Do

We love health and fitness, we love making people feel better and we love seeing people get the results they want.

Free Trial

Come along for a no-obligation complementary assessment with one of our personal trainers – no pressure, just an opportunity to see how we can help you. Please fill in this form and we will be in contact to book a session for you.