POWER! WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Living with Parkinson's is a journey of different stages and challenges. It means adjusting to your diagnosis, recognizing that life has changed, maintaining independence, doing your best to live well, and at the same time acknowledging when seeking help is appropriate. Feeling helpless at times is normal and some days will be easier than others.
As the disease progresses, some changes may be necessary. Lifestyle is a personal matter and changing it requires thought and consideration. You may find it helpful to discuss possible changes with those who might be most affected – your spouse, partner, family.
We are here to help. With a combined 27 years of working with people who are living with Parkinsons, Doug Pickard and Darla Larsen have combined efforts to create the POWER institute. POWER stands for Parkinsons Oceanside Wellness Exercise and Recovery and under its umbrella you will find help, direction and comfort.
There are two main reasons that exercise is important when you have Parkinson’s:
1. In addition to PD, your body is coping with the general effects of aging.
As we age, certain changes occur in our bodies:
• Loss of tissue elasticity (skin wrinkles, muscles can tighten)
• Mineral loss in bones (fractures can occur more readily)
• Loss of muscle mass (muscles are not as toned):
We lose 1% of muscle mass per year over the age of 60!
If you combine normal, age-related changes with a sedentary lifestyle,
you increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis,
diabetes and cognitive impairment. Without regular exercise, our bodies
and minds become weaker, stiffer and more likely to suffer an injury.
2. Research proves that exercise benefits people with PD.
Studies in both animals and humans have demonstrated the brain
and body benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s.
Exercise as Medicine
Ongoing research is clearly showing us that in addition to directly
benefiting symptoms, exercise helps the brain compensate for changes
that occur because of Parkinson’s. Studies have shown that exercise and
physical therapy can improve many aspects of Parkinson’s by incorporating
feedback, repetition, challenge, problem-solving, engagement and
motivation. Aside from taking medications on time, exercise is the single
most important activity you can do to manage Parkinson’s and lead the
best possible life.
Reported benefits of exercise include improvements in the following areas:
• Gait and balance
• Flexibility and posture
• Endurance
• Working memory and decision making
• Attention and concentration
• Quality of sleep
And reductions in the following concerns:
• Falls
• Freezing of gait
• Depression and anxiety
As the disease progresses, some changes may be necessary. Lifestyle is a personal matter and changing it requires thought and consideration. You may find it helpful to discuss possible changes with those who might be most affected – your spouse, partner, family.
We are here to help. With a combined 27 years of working with people who are living with Parkinsons, Doug Pickard and Darla Larsen have combined efforts to create the POWER institute. POWER stands for Parkinsons Oceanside Wellness Exercise and Recovery and under its umbrella you will find help, direction and comfort.
There are two main reasons that exercise is important when you have Parkinson’s:
1. In addition to PD, your body is coping with the general effects of aging.
As we age, certain changes occur in our bodies:
• Loss of tissue elasticity (skin wrinkles, muscles can tighten)
• Mineral loss in bones (fractures can occur more readily)
• Loss of muscle mass (muscles are not as toned):
We lose 1% of muscle mass per year over the age of 60!
If you combine normal, age-related changes with a sedentary lifestyle,
you increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis,
diabetes and cognitive impairment. Without regular exercise, our bodies
and minds become weaker, stiffer and more likely to suffer an injury.
2. Research proves that exercise benefits people with PD.
Studies in both animals and humans have demonstrated the brain
and body benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s.
Exercise as Medicine
Ongoing research is clearly showing us that in addition to directly
benefiting symptoms, exercise helps the brain compensate for changes
that occur because of Parkinson’s. Studies have shown that exercise and
physical therapy can improve many aspects of Parkinson’s by incorporating
feedback, repetition, challenge, problem-solving, engagement and
motivation. Aside from taking medications on time, exercise is the single
most important activity you can do to manage Parkinson’s and lead the
best possible life.
Reported benefits of exercise include improvements in the following areas:
• Gait and balance
• Flexibility and posture
• Endurance
• Working memory and decision making
• Attention and concentration
• Quality of sleep
And reductions in the following concerns:
• Falls
• Freezing of gait
• Depression and anxiety