Managing Parkinson's Symptoms with Active Movement
Consistent physical exercise is key to managing Parkinson's disease. Regular activity helps maintain flexibility, reduce muscle stiffness (rigidity), improve posture, and support overall balance. Here are simple, safe exercises to practice at home:
Recommended Exercises
- Posture Stretch: Stand with your back against a wall, press your shoulders and head back, and hold for 20 seconds to stretch chest muscles.
- Big Strides: Practice walking with exaggerated, high steps and wide arm swings to counteract shortened walking patterns.
- Chair Stands: Sit on a firm chair and practice standing up without using your arms, building thigh strength.
- Weight Shifting: Stand near a counter for support, and slowly shift weight from one foot to the other to train balance coordination.
Bypassing Gait Freezing
If your parent experiences gait freezing (feeling stuck to the floor), visual or auditory cues can help. Try placing colored tape lines on the floor to step over, or count out loud (1, 2, 3, step) to maintain rhythm.
Sattva Healthy Aging offers in-home Parkinson's rehabilitation in Bangalore, with specialized physical therapy programs designed to maintain joint health and senior safety.