Exercise for Balance

05/27/2011

Keeping your balance strong is an important goal for people with Parkinson’s (more broadly, it is important for everyone as balance can change as we age). According to Colleen Canning in an article published in the British Medical Journal in 2009:

68% people with Parkinson’s will fall
65% of fallers will experience an injury secondary to their falls,
33% will suffer a fracture
75% of falls will lead to use of a health care service

I am often asked what should I do for my balance or what exercise should I do?

The first step is to do something- everyday, beginning NOW. When choosing an exercise for Parkinson’s disease, balance control and health it certainly is not one size fits all. Results from research using many different types of exercise programs support this idea. A successful exercise program is one that

You enjoy. What gives you pleasure or makes you laugh
Challenges you. Doing the same thing over and over again only makes you strong in that area.
Is doable. Is the exercise so complicated you can’t do it? Does it require a long trip to the gym everyday making it less likely you’ll do it?
Associate with what you love. Music, pets, nature, people, singing, the list is endless….
Reduces Stress. Listen to your body and your mind. How do you feel afterward?
Engages you mind and your body. Through better focus
Mimics what you wish to improve. (i.e. Nothing is better for walking then walking.)

Can be modified to meet your needs.

Is safe. This is especially true if you have balance problems or are new to exercise. Do you have the level of balance, strength or stamina for the exercise in mind? A fall or strained muscle is what you are trying to avoid not experience while you exercise.

Begin by working with a physical therapist or personal trainer to be sure your program meets your needs. Below are just some examples of exercise programs that can help your balance.

Yoga, Qi Gong and Tai chi. Research supports the use of these ancient methods for wellbeing and improved mobility in PD. These programs help with balance, posture, flexibility and coordination as well as mood, pain, fatigue.
Dance. A research study showed that Tango improves balance. A big bonus is the fun, creativity and social benefits.
Walking. Nothing helps walking more than simply walking. Walking sticks can help with balance. (Be sure to use adjustable ones with straps. Your arm should be bent at a 90 degree angle when holding the stick.) A walk in nature on an uneven surface is more challenging but walking on a track or in the mall may be safer and easier for some.
Aquatic therapy. If you have significant balance problems, the buoyancy of water helps keep you safe while exercising.
Wii Fit and other video games. Fun balance games that can be dones at home, in a group or you can even join a competative team.
Balance specific exercise training. Check with your local hospital, medical, community or senior center to find a program near you.

[See exercise tips for more articles on exercise, getting started and staying motivated.]

[See tips to manage freezing.]

[See related articles on walking.]

[See related articles on bone health,]

Author: Monique Giroux, MD

Medical Information Disclaimer and Legal Agreement

Please read this agreement entirely and carefully before using the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation website (nwpf.org).By using www.nwpf.org site, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions below and in the www.nwpf.org Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer About Medical Information:
The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used for treatment purposes, but rather for discussion with the patient's own physician. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only. The major limitation of informational resources like www.nwpf.org is the inability to take into account the unique circumstances that define the health issues of the patient. If you have persistent health problems or if you have further questions, please consult your health care provider. All visitors to this and other www.nwpf.org associated web sites agree to read and abide by the complete terms of this agreement.

Legal Disclaimers

Summary:
 * www.nwpf.org web site does not constitute an attempt to practice medicine.
 * The use of the site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.
 * Individuals should consult a qualified health care provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.
 * While the site attempts to be as accurate as possible, it should not be relied upon as being comprehensive or error-free.
 * www.nwpf.org is under constant development and changes may be made in the articles and programs at any time.
 * The web site reserves the right to change its disclaimer or privacy policy, so users should review these periodically.

No Medical Advice.
The information posted here by www.nwpf.org is not to be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. We may answer and post medical questions solely on our own discretion. We do not have the resources or the capability to answer all visitor questions. In general, the questions we choose to answer are (in our opinion) of value to other readers. The answers to these questions should in no way be considered specific medical advice or a plan for disease management. Our goal is to provide sufficient information so that www.nwpf.org visitors are able to become knowledgeable participants in their disease management plan. The primary responsibility of your disease management plan is with your treating physicians and you should only follow your treating physicians advice. DO NOT change/modify your disease management plan on your own without consulting your treating physicians.

No Warranties.
This web site is provided on an "as is," "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to, those of TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE or NON-INFRINGEMENT or any warranty as to accuracy, timeliness, completeness or arising from a course of dealing, usage, or trade practice. No oral advice or written information provided by the www.nwpf.org shall create a warranty; nor shall members or visitors to the site rely on any such information or advice.

Disclaimer of Liability.
The user assumes all responsibility and risk for the use of this web site. Under no circumstances shall www.nwpf.org or its contributors/employees or its affiliated organizations such as the University of Illinois at Chicago or its employees or anyone else involved in creating or maintaining this web site be liable for any DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL or CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, or LOST PROFITS that result directly or indirectly from the use or inability to use the web site and/or any other web sites which are linked to this site - or that result directly or indirectly from mistakes, omissions, interruptions, deletion of files, viruses, errors, defects, or any failure of performance, communications failure, theft, destruction or unauthorized access.

In states which do not allow some or all of the above limitations of liability, liability shall be limited to the greatest extent allowed by law.

Online Conduct.
Visitors agree to use the web site only for lawful purposes and are prohibited from posting on the web site any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory or obscene material of any kind, including, but not limited to, any material which encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national or international law. This applies to any posting that could be termed as Sexual Harassment and or Discrimination. Although in the absence of a specific complaint the postings are not monitored for compliance with this provision, in an effort to discourage such conduct, please note that all postings in the Comments area will list the author's name--no anonymous postings are permitted!

Disclaimer of Endorsement.
Reference to any products, services, hypertext link to the third parties or other information by trade name, trademark, supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation by www.nwpf.org or its contributors/employees. They are for convenience only.

Link Disclaimer.
Links are provided only as an informational resource. Please note that many of the links provided are not on our servers and are not maintained by us or affiliated with any services provided by us. These links are provided simply as a service, and it should not be implied that we recommend, endorse or approve of any of the content at the linked site(s), nor are we responsible for their availability, accuracy or content.

Have a nice day.