For my husband, exercise is key to managing Parkinson’s disease
Working out eases his motor symptoms, improves his mental health
Living with an incurable neurodegenerative disease can be discouraging and frustrating. While I am thankful for medications and surgeries that provide some symptom relief and control, they have limitations. And sometimes, the side effects of the therapies are worse than the disease itself.
That’s why it’s encouraging to hear that exercise can benefit people with Parkinson’s disease. According to Sule Tinaz, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology at the Yale School of Medicine, “The medications we have available are only for symptomatic treatment. They do not change the disease course. But exercise seems to go one step beyond and protect the brain at the neuronal level.”
Not long after my husband, Arman, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s, he enrolled in a clinical trial where researchers were studying the possible benefits of cycling for patients with Parkinson’s disease. They found that both forced and voluntary exercise programs enhanced the participants’ coordination and grasping abilities.
Fueled by a lifelong passion
Arman didn’t need to be sold on the power of exercise; he’d been passionately dedicated to it since he was a teenager. Weightlifting and bodybuilding were as integral to his daily routine as brushing his teeth. He always made time for the gym, even during the busiest periods of his life, such as medical school or his internal medicine residency. It didn’t matter if he was on call at the hospital every other night; he never missed a workout. Arman is not the type to make excuses or forgo his routine.
The fact that his hobby and passion might help control this disease is incredible. Finding time and motivation to exercise can be challenging for many of us regular non-superheroes. For me, it’s always felt like a chore, and not something I was eager to do.
Have you ever seen a man in his mid-50s do 20 pullups? Oh, wait. Did I mention that said man was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s more than 15 years ago? Yep, that’s my husband. The kicker is that due to his intense rigidity, he is unable to raise his left arm to reach the pullup bar, so he requires assistance to do so. But once his hands are in place, off he goes. He is beyond determined and will not let this disease beat him.
Lately, fatigue, slowness, and stiffness have been getting the best of him. And some days, it can be difficult for him mentally and physically to get downstairs to his workout room. I remind him that taking a day off and giving himself some grace is OK; he’s not superhuman. But when he pushes hard against the beast named Parkinson’s and completes a challenging workout, he feels so much better. For Arman, exercise helps with both his motor symptoms and the mental load that this disease dumps on patients.
Many of you, like me, may struggle to find the motivation to exercise. After checking with your neurologist or movement disorder specialist, I encourage and challenge you to give it a go, even if it’s from the comfort of your recliner or bed. You might like it, and even better, you might even notice some relief from your symptoms. Happy exercising!
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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