Parkinson's Disease: How Pilates Can Help

A growing number of those with Parkinson's Disease are saying that Pilates is helping them alleviate their symptoms and improve their mobility.

Parkinson's robs its sufferers of muscle control through its ravaging effects on the body's motor and nerve systems.

Pilates, with its emphasis on gentle, controlled movements, is ideal for countering the progressive degenerative effects of Parkinson's.

Studies have shown how important some form of physical exercise is in maintaining and improving mobility, flexibility, and balance, which in turn all contribute to the quality of life for the patient with Parkinson's.

Pilates was originally developed as an eclectic combination of the best parts of various different exercise systems. True to these hybrid origins, Pilates is unique in the wide range of physical and mental issues that it addresses, many of them particularly relevant to the Parkinson's sufferer.

Balance, for example, is a key issue in Parkinson's. The shuffling gait and loss of balance and motor co-ordination that is characteristic of Parkinson's can often cause trips and falls. Both of the latter in turn can lead to injury, as the patient struggles to recover normally from a stumble, which can result from an obstacle as low as the edge of a carpet. Pilates includes exercises that improve the sense of balance, coordination and posture.

Developing flexibility is a central focus of Pilates. This is very important for a condition like Parkinson's, which can be marked by a painful rigidity and loss of movement.

The gentle, low-impact approach of Pilates is important for sufferers, who are likely to feel extremely delicate and over-sensitive, due to wasting effects of the disease on joints and muscles.

Pilates also emphasizes a connection between mind, body and spirit in exercises that focus on breathing, adapted by Joseph Pilates from yoga and meditation techniques. These are likely to be particularly effective in Parkinson's as they improve brain-body integration, and can help the attendant depression and cognitive disturbances.

Pilates exercises can be tailored to suit the needs of the particular individual. A course can be modified in order to maintain a balance between remaining challenging and providing the patient with a sense of accomplishment.

Pilates with a properly qualified instructor can be an important complement to medical treatment for Parkinson's disease.

As always, if you have Parkinson's, or any other medical condition, you should consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regime.