Parkinson’s disease can significantly impair mobility. However, regular, specialized exercises can alleviate some of these troublesome symptoms and help individuals maintain a higher level of independence and well-being.
Did you know that The Kensington White Plains, in partnership with Theradynamics, offers specialized, on-site physical rehabilitation for those with Parkinson’s?
Theradynamics is a renowned leader in physical rehabilitation in New York, providing innovative solutions for mobility challenges caused by conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
Explore four transformative exercises that can empower your loved one with Parkinson’s to regain mobility and enhance their overall well-being—and how The Kensington White Plains provides expert care to residents with Parkinson’s in White Plains, New York.
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
What is Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery rehabilitation?
Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR) is a rehabilitative approach designed by Dr. Becky Farley, a neuroscientist and physical therapist, to combat the difficulties presented by Parkinson’s Disease.
PWR is known for emphasizing larger, more deliberate movements and proper positioning, aiming to combat the physical limitations imposed by this condition.
For instance, for someone struggling with the stiff, shuffling walk characteristic of Parkinson’s, PWR’s unique approach can help in regaining more normal step patterns and improving mobility and independence.
The benefits of Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery exercises
PWR goes beyond physical well-being and also targets overall wellness. It acknowledges that dealing with Parkinson’s is as much a mental and emotional battle as it is a physical one.
PWR helps individuals find balance and control, allowing them to experience joy and comfort despite the disease’s unpredictable nature.
More benefits of PWR include:
- Physical impact: Someone with mobility issues may regain the ability to walk with more normal, fluid steps.
- Emotional impact: Being able to move around freely creates a sense of achievement and control, bringing a renewed sense of hope and reducing feelings of frustration.
- Physiological impact: Physical rehabilitation specialists can set small goals through PWR that can build confidence and a sense of empowerment in residents with Parkinson’s.
- Social impact: PWR classes can occur in group settings, allowing individuals to connect with others who are facing similar challenges, and creating a supportive community.
The 4 Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery exercises explained
Meshel, a dedicated physical rehabilitation specialist from our rehabilitation partner, Theradynamics, employs the Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR) Moves in their approach to care.
This method is pivotal for emphasizing more expansive movement patterns and honing in on the right timing and positioning techniques.
There are four fundamental PWR moves that Meshel incorporates:
1. The Power UP
This exercise helps you stand up straighter. People with Parkinson’s tend to stoop because their muscles are rigid. Power UP helps in loosening up those muscles.
The Power UP move is an anti-gravity extension movement specifically designed to counteract the stooped posture by strengthening the appropriate muscles and encouraging a straighter stance.
Steps to Perform Power UP:
- Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent.
- Reach arms overhead, fully extending the body.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, focusing on straightening the spine.
- Slowly lower the arms and return to the starting position.
- Repeat several times, maintaining controlled, mindful movements.
Benefits: Regularly incorporating Power UP into daily routines can help alleviate stooped posture, enhance comfort, and improve overall mobility.
2. Power Rock – weight shifting
This exercise helps with balance. People with Parkinson’s often feel unstable and might fall. By learning to shift weight from one foot to the other, they can feel steadier.
Power Rock emphasizes weight shifting to enhance balance and coordination, crucial components in preventing falls and improving mobility.
Steps to Perform Power Rock:
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Slowly shift your weight to one side, lifting the opposite foot slightly off the ground.
- Maintain this position briefly, ensuring stability.
- Return to the center and shift weight to the other side.
- Repeat the sequence multiple times.
3. Power Twist
This exercise is about twisting your upper body. People with Parkinson’s get stiff and find turning difficult. Power Twist helps in making the turning easier and smoother.
Power Twist aims to improve trunk mobility and decrease rigidity, allowing for more fluid movements and less discomfort.
Steps to Perform Power Twist:
- Sit or stand with feet hip-width apart.
- Keeping hips stable, slowly rotate the upper body to one side.
- Hold the twist for a few moments, then slowly return to the center.
- Rotate to the opposite side and repeat the sequence.
Safety Tips: Always perform Power Twist in a controlled manner, ensuring no undue stress is placed on the spine, and avoid over-rotation.
4. Power Step
The power step exercise helps people walk better. Those with Parkinson’s shuffle their feet and can trip easily. Power Step teaches them to take bigger steps safely.
Power Step promotes larger, more deliberate steps to combat the shuffling gait and improve walking.
Steps to Perform Power Step:
- Stand with one foot slightly in front of the other.
- Shift weight to the front foot and take a large step forward with the back foot.
- Ensure the step is exaggerated but controlled.
- Repeat the process, focusing on maintaining balance.
Integration Tips: Incorporate Power Step into daily walks or routine movements around the house to build muscle memory and enhance gait. Regular practice can yield significant improvements in walking stability and stride length.
Explore Parkinson’s care at The Kensington White Plains
The Kensington White Plains offers on-site, advanced physical rehabilitation services, where experts from Theradynamics craft personalized rehabilitation plans tailored to improve the mobility and quality of life for your loved ones.
Our THRIVE with Parkinson’s Program provides specialized on-site and virtual workshops and therapies, including a vocal gym, focusing on exercise, speech, and nutrition to aid those with movement disorders like Parkinson’s in maintaining communication and overall well-being.
Join us on Wednesday, 12/13, from 6-7pm EST for a THRIVE with Parkinson’s Workshop we are hosted at our community! This informational session will provide guidance about Parkinson’s and how exercise can enhance the quality of life and help maintain functional independence.
We will have two mini-wellness sessions focusing on speech and voice, plus functional exercise and physical therapy.Stay tuned for an event post on our website, and in the mean time those interested can RSVP to Brenda, our Director of Marketing & Outreach, at bmoynihan@kensingtonsl.com.
Beyond physical rehab, we also provide enhanced assisted living, memory care, and a range of special services designed to meet the diverse needs of our residents.
Discover a community where your loved one’s well-being is the focal point, embraced by a promise of unprecedented care and comfort, outlined in Our Promise to love and care for your family as we do our own.
To understand more about our distinct approach and to explore the plethora of services—reach out to our dedicated team.
Let us embark on this journey together to enhance the lives of those we hold dear.