Hello everyone on this cold Friday morning, here is a little more about Parkinson’s this week I want to talk about exercise something many will thing is too difficult for someone with PD to do but also something those with PD need to partake in.
It is understandable that when someone is having trouble standing and other mobility issues to shy away from exercise and at times well-meaning family and friends trying to be supportive end up making things worse as the person with PD ends up sitting around on their ass all day doing bugga all. Yes, I am referring to myself here, that is what happened with me.
In some cases, once someone is told they have PD they are given the impression by the medical people that it is up to the drugs to help fix things.
However, exercise and physiotherapy play an important role and this I was not told by any doctor.
I found things changed a lot in me when at Natasha’s insistence I started doing some simple and easy exercises while either sitting or holding onto furniture or a wall. They consisted of leg lifts and twisting my body and walking on the spot all of which can be done while seated if needed. I went from not being able to get in and out of our car to back to getting in and out without a problem.
When you have PD, you must keep your body moving which sounds strange as our bodies rarely stop moving but we need structed movement like lifting our legs and twisting and turning our bodies.
I found one place to get instructions about how and what to do from YouTube where there are countless clips showing you the right way to do things.
I have now started using Natasha’s powerfit which for those who do not know is a balance board that vibrates standing on it isn’t something I could have done a year ago, and now I can only manage to stand for 3 minutes before needing to sit. The vibrations last for 10 minutes and I go from standing to sitting to standing to sitting again.
What is most important is to start doing some kind of exercise each day and our bodies will not become stiff and sore due to PD sooner than need be.
Jo-AnneRamplings 
Dearest Jo-Anne,
Kudos to Natasha for motivating you and helping you doing some exercise.
Indeed, holding on to something is key!
Even for me but I’ve noticed that over a couple of months my legs have become stronger and I walk better!
So there IS hope.
Bending and twisting is different as it causes severe pain in stent–graft area.
But I am proud for being able to function in the kitchen and also for doing some laundry, folding and such.
Still a lot more to do and to go on. Hoping that one day I will be able to ride a bike again!
Big hugs,
Mariette
We need to take it slow and not rush things, I am so happy you are walking better and when we manage to get small household tasks done we may feel exhausted from doing it but happy that we managed to do it, when once not that long ago we thought we would never be able to do such things again
Oh so very true! Can’t manage to do a lot but those things that get done are little victories… Had blood work done this morning (fastening) and my primary care doctor called. My kidneys are going down and yes, I can feel that but what can I do? Got an appointment for September 26, at Emory University in Atlanta but primary care doctor wants to call her to have it sooner…
Not easy for being single and managing it all alone. I’m in way too much pain for being able to and can’t even sleep normal, maybe 4 hours and the rest I’m writhing in pain. The woman that hit me on my E-bike has destroyed my life and now I’m stuck with the pain and other decline.
Thanks for sharing! I have noticed that even small amounts of exercise or body movements can help our body. Praying for better health!!