It’s no secret that Parkinson’s is a condition that can easily complicate your life. Unfortunately, we still don’t fully understand how to cure it.
The good news, however, is that working with a personal trainer could potentially minimize the symptoms that you experience. Let’s explore what you need to know.
Improving Flexibility
Making improvements to flexibility is one of the primary ways working with a personal trainer can help. It’s not uncommon for people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease to experience muscle stiffness. They may also frequently experience muscle spasms.
This creates a situation where they may feel discomfort the majority of the time. A personal trainer who has a broad knowledge of this condition can help you come up with a routine that greatly improves your flexibility.
This could easily help relieve the muscle-related issues that you deal with. It can also help prevent injury in the future, as insufficient flexibility is often the reason behind muscle tears and sprains.
Strength Training
The benefits of strength training are highly similar to the benefits of improving your flexibility.
However, both of these work in tandem to help keep your body limber and resilient against injury. Strength training exercises typically involve weights, but they don’t always have to.
The primary factor to focus on is resistance, something that can come in many different forms. For instance, many people with Parkinson’s prioritize resistance bands as opposed to weights due to the fact that they are safer if a failure occurs during the exercise. In some cases, no form of external resistance will be used at all.
This means exercises like push-ups, bodyweight squats, etc. will be sufficient.
Pain Management
Physical activity has been proven to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
It can also help keep its symptoms under control. So, those who find themselves dealing with pain on a regular basis can highly benefit from incorporating an exercise routine.
Of course, you will need to gradually ramp up the intensity of your workouts at the beginning. It’s not uncommon for Parkinson’s-related pain to make certain movements or levels of intensity difficult to perform.
Fortunately, the trainer you work with will be able to assess your current condition and choose workouts that are ideal for you. As you become capable of more intense workouts, you will likely find that you experience less and less pain.
Motor Coordination
It should come as no surprise that Parkinson’s has a large impact on motor coordination.
Depending on how progressed the disease is, you may even find that basic activities such as dancing or aerobics are difficult. Unfortunately, this situation won’t resolve itself on its own, and it’s imperative that you implement a comprehensive exercise routine. The good news, however, is that improving motor coordination is often a highly enjoyable process.
This is due to the fact that it involves activities with precise movements, such as boxing and dancing. Not only do these help improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but they also build tangible skills that you can use in other areas of your life.
Gait/Balance
One of the primary risks of injury when it comes to Parkinson’s is losing your balance.
This could easily lead to a fall and cause severe injury. In the event that you do not receive medical assistance in time, you could experience even more complications.
A trainer who is experienced in helping clients manage Parkinson’s will develop a specific routine to improve balance. These exercises are typically more involved, as well. To elaborate, there’s a big difference between performing a movement while standing on one leg and doing a push-up.
Over time, you’ll be able to make significant improvements to your gait and balance. This will go a long way in the future when it comes to preventing injury, and it can also make exercising easier for you.
Mental Health
Parkinson’s can take a toll on mental health. Being unable to use your body in a way that you previously had is something that can cause plenty of emotional distress. In contrast, those who have Parkinson’s experience a sharp increase in mental health once they begin making progress in their exercises.
This serves as tangible proof that the symptoms are manageable and that they have potential. Additionally, working with a trainer or exercising with others can serve as a valuable social experience.
For those who live alone, exercise sessions are something you can look forward to each week. It’s not uncommon for people to develop lifelong friendships with those they meet through exercising. This is especially true if the other people you exercise with also have Parkinson’s disease.
This can help you quickly build a large support network that lifts you up when you need it.
Working With a Personal Trainer Could Change Everything
Jonathan is a Parkinson’s specific trainer who has many years of experience and has been recommended by numerous neurologists. The exercises that he focuses on are specifically designed to decrease the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
They can also help slow its progression. His clients find that his routines help release dopamine, leading to a better overall mood.
So, keep the above benefits of working with a personal trainer in mind — it could be the answer you’re looking for. You can also check out this article to learn more about the best exercises for individuals with Parkinson’s.
Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to get in touch with us today and see how we can help.