Pilates Exercises-Benefits for Patients with Parkinson's Disease

People with Parkinson's Disease (PD) have trouble controlling the way they move. They develop tremors, find it difficult to stay balanced, and instead of moving may do just the opposite - become stiff and rigid. They may have to take drugs - like levodopa - just to be able to do normal, everyday activities.

But now some individuals with PD are finding a way to move more easily that doesn't involve taking more drugs. Instead, they're doing Pilates exercises.

Developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, these exercises focus on two areas that seem to be very helpful to Parkinson's patients - breathing and strengthening the "core muscles," the abdominals. Breath "training" helps because many people with PD tend to breathe shallowly, which limits the amount of oxygen they can take in. Core exercises assist with posture, which Parkinson's patients find difficult to maintain.

Pilates exercises use very small movements, and are based on the theory that it's more important to move properly once than to move incorrectly many times. They're also gentle; many are done either sitting or lying down, with only partial weight-bearing. This makes them ideal for rehabilitation, and in fact they're sometimes recommended for other conditions, like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and scoliosis.

One of the biggest advantages of Pilates, though, is the flexibility of its routines. Exercises can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the people doing them.

Pilates has been recommended for Parkinson's before. However, a new program at the Parkinson's Center of the Oregon Health and Science University has proven to be a real benefit for its participants, who have found it helped them be stronger, more flexible, and more balanced. The program, started in early 2006, is so popular that it currently has a waiting list.

Right now the only documentation of the benefits of Pilates to patients with PD is in the testimonials of the people who do it. But OHSU is planning to do research on the effects of exercise on Parkinson's Disease symptoms. So far, their studies with rats who have very little dopamine (the main characteristic of PD) have shown that exercise - in this case, on a treadmill - can help the return of some muscle movement. But they have no studies with humans - yet.

Exercise in general can have many benefits for patients with neurological problems like Parkinson's. For one thing, people may find themselves becoming more sedentary simply because it is so difficult to move properly. Exercise can help them feel more comfortable, and the more they move, the easier it gets. They'll also feel more in control of their bodies, which can help their self-esteem. And for the PD patients, exercising with others who have the disease provides group support and is less intimidating than a class with people who don't have trouble moving.

If you have Parkinson's, or any other chronic condition - especially if it's neurologic - always talk to your physician before starting any exercise program. Once you've determined that exercise is safe for you, here are a few tips to make it easier and more fun:
- Start with the easiest exercises first, then progress to harder ones. Don't sabotage your efforts by beginning with exercises you can't do.
- Exercise with friends, or with other people who have your condition.
- Find a pleasant location to do your exercises, and play music you like. Fit the music to what you're trying to accomplish - more upbeat for a faster pace, or slow and steady for relaxation and stress relief.
- If you're worried about falling, do your exercises sitting down, and have people nearby to help you if you need it.

Some health care providers believe that any exercise can be helpful for people with neurological problems. But Pilates seems to be an especially good choice because of its adaptability and focus on moving properly rather than quickly.

One of the participants of the OHSU program may have given the best testimonial of all when he said that doing Pilates has helped him be more positive. And a positive attitude may be the best way to live with a chronic disease like Parkinson's.