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Can Exercise Help People with Parkinson’s Disease?

parkinsons program - Can Exercise Help People with Parkinson’s Disease?
Exercise can help people with Parkinson’s Disease live fuller, more active, and independent lives.

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Symptoms include tremor (shaking), rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with balance. Parkinson’s Disease usually develops slowly and gets worse over time.

Parkinson’s Disease can be difficult to live with, but exercise can provide significant benefits. Regular exercise can help to improve motor function, relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve overall quality of life. In addition, exercise can help to slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease, so it is important to know which exercise is best to optimize your specific condition. Thus, while there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, exercise can be an important part of managing the condition.

Multi-disciplinary care teams that include chiropractors, kinesiologists, fitness trainers and physiotherapists can provide support and advice on how to best incorporate exercise into a Parkinson’s Disease management plan. By working with a care team, people with Parkinson’s Disease can develop an exercise program that meets their individual needs and goals. Ultimately, exercise can help people with Parkinson’s Disease live fuller, more active, and independent lives.

Dr. Quincy Almeida, PhD

Dr. Quincy Almeida, PhD

Parkinson's Program Director
Dr. Almeida is the Director of the CARESPACE Health+Wellness Parkinson’s Program, a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Director of the Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation. He has a PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience and Kinesiology with a concentration on Neuromechanical study of movement disorders from University of Waterloo and a Master of Science degree in Human Biodynamics from McMaster University.

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