Category: exercise

A Fresh Perspective on Exercise

It is now well established that exercise is beneficial for the general population. Exercise has all of the same beneficial effects of people with Parkinson’s disease as it does on healthy individuals. In addition, it can help to alleviate some of the negative signs and symptoms of the disease such as bradykinesia. It can also reduce the positive signs such as tremor.

Daniel Corcos, Ph.D. is Chair of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and Director of the Neural Control Of Movement Laborary at University of Illinois at Chicago.

We Agreed I Don’t Need to Have Parkinson’s

It’ has been five years since Phyllis Rogers was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease.  Today she is virtually symptom free. She has done her research and has figured out what really matters when it comes to therapies. Phyllis  talked with God and they  agreed that she did not need to have Parkinson’s. Among other incredible contributions to the Parkinsons community, Phyllis works with adults to help them become physically fit and is the author of  Over 40 and Gettin’ Stronger. 

A Three Pronged Approach to Recovery

You will no longer have any doubts about whether a person with a very advanced stage of Parkinson’s can recovery after hearing this interview. The Cypress Alternative’s Parkinson Outreach Program is a three-prong approach to caring for those individuals living with Parkinson Disease—education, support, and fitness.  The programming offers daily fitness programs, monthly support groups, and monthly educational seminars on various topics of interest to those with PD, as well as having a comprehensive training program for their staff.  Programming is offered at Cypress Palms, an Enhanced Assisted Living Community, located at The Palms of Largo, in Largo, Florida. The Bonsai Holistic Spa, a state-of-the-art wellness center, located in Cypress Palms, provides therapeutic services to the public and has tailored services to meet the unique needs of the Parkinson’s community throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Of particular interest in this interview is the success story of Jim I, a 53 year-old patient in the advanced stages of Parkinson Disease who appears to be showing signs of recovery from what is thought to be a chronic and progressive condition.  Over the past six months, Jim has shown improvement in fine and gross motor skills as well as his overall attitude. Jim lives at Cypress Palms and regularly works out at The Bonsai Holistic Spa. Here he frees himself of the need to use his wheel chair.  He has been training on a recumbent trike on the 90-acre Palms of Largo campus and gets his speed over 20 miles per hour.  He participates and enjoys classes in Parkinson’s balance and agility, Yoga, aquatics, progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training at Cypress Palms.   He also enjoys dancing, billiards, shuffle-board and karaoke at Cypress Palms.

 

Website: Cypress Palms Assisted Living Facility

Delay the Disease

Delay the Disease is a fitness program designed by Jackie Russell and David Zid to empower people with Parkinson’s Disease (PWP) by optimizing their physical function. It is the foundation for exercise classes geared specifically to counteract the movement challenges experienced by PWP and is available as a book, DVD, and newly released sequel  “Functional Fitness” DVD.  Participants boast about mobility improvement, regaining a greater degree of ‘normalcy’ and maintaining and improving independence. They enjoy the confidence of knowing that they are not defined by their disease anymore, they are now in control and can manage the disease proactively.  Zid and Russell agree wholeheartedly with the newest researchers who have begun to see exercise as “the new drug for Parkinson’s.”

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro

New news from the Pedaling for Parkinson’s front.   Former guests, John Carlin and Nan Little, who both have Parkinson’s and have ridden their bikes across Iowa for the last two summers, are readying themselves for another great adventure.   In a few weeks they will attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, with a group of Parkinson’s and MS patients.  Their leader, Lori Schneider who lives with MS, has summit-ed the highest peak on each continent.  John and Nan attribute their ability to get stronger, more fit, and even more adventuresome with PD to riding their bikes at a high cadence several times per week.

 

Looking Down the Barrel

Richard (Rick) Secklin is the author of Parkinson’s disease – Looking down the Barrel, and an inspirational speaker. He was once the national gold’s classic bodybuilding champion, a health club owner and a career Texas law enforcement officer.

At 50 years of age, he was completing his lifetime goal successfully graduating Cum Laude from Lubbock Christian University. That same year 2003, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In his battle of combating the disease, Rick, as a Texas Deputy, made a tough decision in his life to use marijuana for his relief of Parkinson’s symptoms. Four years into his battle; Rick’s eighteen year marriage was dissolved and his son moved away.

Ridden with guilt, confusion, and hate for God, he quit his career as a once community awarded law enforcement officer and he found himself looking down the barrel of a gun contemplating suicide. Rick is a survivor living with Parkinson’s. He tells his story during the radio show today.

A Handbook for Life

Richard London is an author ( A Handbook for Life: A Practical Guide to Success and Happiness) motivational speaker, entrepreneur, person with Parkinsons and cancer survivor. Richard also has his commercial pilot’s license, is a third degree black belt and has practiced and taught martial arts for over 24 years.

At 19 he was in an automobile accident that put him in and out of hospitals for ten months. He has had a total of nine operations as a result of his accident. In 2003 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is now a seven year cancer survivor.

Two years after his cancer surgery he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he has never let his spirits down. He is a sought after key note speaker spreading his positive outlook on life wherever he goes. Richard will join us to share his secrets to staying active and enjoying life with PD.

 

Angela’s Story of Her Journey Down the Road to Recovery

This week Angela discusses a number of natural and safe therapies that have given her sustained relief from her symptoms. Her story is a truly amazing account of recovery.

Angela has experienced the symptoms of Parkinsons since 2006. She has tried a wide variety of natural therapies – some of which you have likely never heard about. Angela will tell us which therapies have helped her get relief from the symptoms of Parkinsons and which ones did not help. You will find a summary of her story on the Parkinsons Recovery Blog
Angela’s Story

John Coleman, ND on his Recovery from Parkinson’s

What is the real story behind John Coleman’s recovery from Parkinson’s? John tells all during my interview with him on my radio show today. Get a true glimpse of how recovery unfolded for one man who is now helping others to recover. John is the author of Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin‘.