Topic Overview
Exercise is an important part of home treatment for people
with
Parkinson's disease. It has benefits in both early and
advanced stages of the disease. Regular exercise can help you:
- Maintain muscle strength and improve
coordination.
- Maintain and increase endurance.
- Improve
flexibility and range of motion.
- Improve cardiovascular
fitness.
- Control weight.
- Reduce the likelihood of
becoming constipated.
Exercise also can promote a sense of well-being and improve
your mood.
A
physical therapist can help you learn exercises and
stretches to do at home to improve posture, strength, flexibility, and
endurance.
A physical or occupational therapist can also help you
to:
- Plan more efficient movements for daily living
activities (such as bathing and dressing) so that these activities are easier
and less tiring.
- Improve balance and walking.
- Use
walking aids (such as canes or walkers) correctly.
For more information, see the topic Fitness.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | G. Frederick Wooten, MD - Neurology |
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| Last Revised | December 3, 2010 |
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