How PD Exercises Improved Teri’s Quality of Life
“Ms. Jewel, you have Parkinson's Disease. You have to get physical therapy,” the doctor told Teri.
Teri just sat there, silent. She looked around the room, its walls full of Parkinson’s Disease posters.
“No, that can’t be right,” she thought, her head still spinning from the news. She doesn’t belong here.
“Doctor,” Teri finally said, “I don’t have PD. Why would I need physical therapy?”
This was Teri’s reaction to her diagnosis back in 2009. Relatable, don’t you think? Yup. It mirrors how a lot of people might respond to such life-altering news. However, no matter the amount of denial, the diagnosis stays the same.
This is because PD is a progressive condition which means that the symptoms will only get worse with time.
But here’s the good news, the symptoms can also slow down. In fact, Teri has experienced this firsthand. And it all started when she finally opened up to the idea of physical therapy and exercise.
Parkinson’s Disease and Physical Therapy
Now before we get back to Teri’s story, first let’s address some of the questions you might have about physical therapy and PD exercise.
What’s the difference between physical activity, physical therapy, and exercise?
According to this journal, “exercise is a subset of physical activity and a major component of physiotherapy for PD management.”
This just means that the main goal is to manage PD symptoms by being physically active. In order to do this, we use physical therapy. And exercise is part of that program.
Aren’t medications enough for PD?
While there are medicines specifically formulated to encourage dopamine production in the brain and combat PD symptoms, studies still show that you need to exercise to maximize their effects.
This paper published online in 2018 concluded that being physically active can play a preventive and maintenance role for people with PD.
You see, PD symptoms appear when nerve cells lose the ability to produce dopamine in the part of the brain called substantia nigra. This area controls our movements and it needs dopamine to function.
Now medicines can help influence the production of dopamine in the body, however, this study also presented evidence suggesting that regular physical activity may exhibit potential benefits over PD.
Exercise and physical therapy can help with “neuronal plasticity of the brain”, that is the ability of our neurons to reorganize their structure, functions, and connections based on our input.
In the case of people with PD, exercise may be able restore neuronal pathways previously affected by lack of dopamine.
Opening the Door to PD Exercises
More and more studies show that being physically active is the best way to combat the symptoms of PD. But just in case you’re still doubtful like how Teri was at the start of her journey, we’re showing you how consistent exercise changed Teri’s life for the better.
So let’s get back to her story.
In the years following that life-changing news, Teri was still adamant about doing anything about her symptoms. She didn't even take medicine for 5 years after her diagnosis. She just refused to believe she had PD.
However, Teri was also experiencing worsening symptoms. She was already dragging her left foot, getting a bunch of fractures on it. This made it difficult for her not only to walk, but to ultimately enjoy her independence. Thankfully, this was when she met Claire, Rogue’s founder and one of its instructors.
Originally, Teri only wanted to get physical therapy for her feet. But Claire also taught her strength exercises and PWR! Moves during their sessions. Teri liked how she felt every time and so with a little more convincing from Claire, she finally committed to an exercise routine.
Teri’s Incredible Transformation
When Teri started taking her PD exercises more seriously, she also began not only feeling better but also living better.
Teri used to have osteoporosis. She had broken her back, fractured her T12 vertebra, and even collapsed a bunch of discs around it. It doesn’t sound good, I know. But all that changed when she started training her body through exercise.
Now, her spine has healed and she no longer has osteoporosis. Her pelvic doctor was even surprised at how strong her pelvic floor is!
Her bones are also now in the best condition. She gets a DEXA scan test every two years and her recent results showed that her bone mineral density improved by 22% and it’s now in the normal range.
Another enjoyable achievement that Teri has achieved through regular physical activity was being able to jump rope again. You see, Teri used to do jump ropes a lot during her younger years. It was her favorite pastime. But because of age and having more pronounced symptoms, she couldn’t do it anymore. But that was her story before. Now she’s making an awesome comeback.
Just look at her go!
But perhaps the most important reward that Teri got from being physically active is having her independence. PD is neurodegenerative which means that those who are diagnosed are bound to feel more symptoms as time goes on.
But that’s not the case with Teri.
Teri can live on her own terms and do what she wants, however she wants. She has the freedom that most people with PD don’t. She doesn’t even have a caregiver! Amazing Teri has the energy and stamina to do it all.
Tips To Get Started With Your PD Routines
Isn’t it awesome just how much Teri’s quality of life has improved since she started working out? Well, do you want to experience the same but don’t know how to get started with your exercises? Well, don’t worry. We have a few tips for you right here.
1. Keep your routines varied.
There are four core exercises for PD and these are:
Aerobic exercises to increase your heart rate
Strengthening exercises to improve your muscle strength.
Balance exercises to keep your feet more steady.
Stretching exercises to help you stay flexible.
Incorporating these elements and varying your routines will make sure that you’re hitting the important spots when you work out.
2. Find activities that you like doing.
This will lessen the instances of skipping sessions because you’ll be having so much fun.
3. Always try to challenge yourself.
It’s always smart not to do routines that are too hard but you need to keep leveling up when the routines are getting too easy for you/
4. Try playing your favorite music every time you work out.
Keep the fun going as you sweat.
5. Consider joining a community or a gym.
Exercising with friends is extremely beneficial not only to your body but also to your mental health so try looking for friends who can take the journey with you.
6. Try online classes and online exercise videos.
Are the nearest gyms too far from your place and you find it difficult to go out? Try joining online classes or purchasing video exercises so you can follow them at the comfort of your home.
Now these are just some of the best tips to kickstart your exercise habit. Of course, the most important thing here is to consult a therapist or doctor before trying out any exercises. This will make sure that you’re doing the right exercises for your fitness level.
Need more inspiration to get you going? We interviewed Teri about her experience and we bet you’re going to love the conversation, too. You can watch the full video it right here.
Teri’s story is a convincing case study of someone whose life has been changed by physical therapy and being active. So if you want to get the same winning results, being consistent with your exercises is the best way to go.
start your own EXERCISE routines
Don’t have a community to exercise with? If you’re in the California area, how about visiting us at the Rogue Wellness gym for in-person classes?
Or if you prefer to work out at home, check out Rogue’s full video gallery and find exercise videos you can try out!
Exercise became Teri’s medicine. So if you’re still not sure if you should do PD exercises, don’t worry. We’re confident that exercise can become your medicine, too.