Category Archives: mobility challenges

Slow Movement Remedies

Dancing and Parkinson's, mobility challenges

Do you have any slow movement remedies to suggest? I never hear this question addressed. Are there any ways to overcome this? It is my worst symptom. People tell me I move very gingerly.

Thank you for your help.

Karen

The big picture is the reprogram your neural networks. It appears that your movements are being controlled by neural pathways that are a bit rusty.

There is no reason for panic! The brain has an incredible capacity to reconfigure pathways. You just have to begin moving a bit differently to configure the new pathways which will make walking easier and require less effort on your part.

First, I suggest that you listen to my interview with Professional Dancer Pamela Quinn from New York City which I aired a number of years ago. Pamela offers a number of suggestions you will find helpful.

Pamela Quinn danced professionally for 20 years with ODC/San Francisco and with actor/writer MichaelO’Connor before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at age 42. Pamela has developed an amazing range of creative movements, exercises and dances that have helped herself and others cope with the many and various symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Learn more about her at www.pamelaquinn.net

Second, I suggest that you add a little music (with a nice hefty beat) when you walk. Use an MP3 player or IPOD or something portable. Find some music you like to listen to which has a marching type of beat. Music with a strong beat does wonders for movements that are slow and cumbersome. Michael Jackson recorded some great songs with incredible beats you can dance to.

Third, there are a number of brain challenge exercises and programs which provide great ways to forge new neural pathways. You might try out a few. They always have free ones to try out on the internet.

Fourth, one of the fun slow movement remedies is this. Inside of thinking of walking from point A to point B, think to yourself that you will dance from Point A to Point B. You may be surprised by the difference created by the different in thought forms.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Reclaiming Independence

balance problems, gait issues, mobility challenges, Parkinsons Disease Information

The Parkinsons Recovery Reclaiming Independence Intensive provides one on one support to help transform walking difficulties.

Have you been falling, freezing or shuffling when walking?

Has walking become problematic?

If  your answers are yes, watch my short video right now to convert wobbly walking to one that is rock solid.

My passion is to help individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease transform any and all beliefs that recovery cannot happen for them.

The goal of the Reclaiming Independence Intensive is to develop a plan of recovery thatReclaiming Independence Intensive will transform problematic mobility into one that is rock solid. Once the plan is set, we review, monitor and adjust the plan as needed over the course of individual sessions with me.

My commitment to you involves a commitment that sets in motion a recovery program that can succeed for you.

I have been asked by many of you to offer an intensive, so here it is!

Visit the Intensive link below for more information and to register.

Reclaiming Independence Intensive

The Intensive Enhances Sound Decision Making

When it comes to a successful recovery program, choices are important.  Robert provides information about the benefits and risks of pursuing  recovery options. He helps you sort through the dozens of recovery options  to identify the ones that are perfect for your interests, goals and lifestyle.

Stress Reduction

Confronting health challenges is stressful day in and day out.  The Intensive helps reduce stress by creating structured plans and realistic goals. It also provides strategies for coping with disappointments and overcoming obstacles.

Motivation and Inspiration

At times, we all need a bit of inspiration and motivation to keep moving forward. Robert offers ongoing  encouragement and helps you stay motivated even when faced with setbacks. He celebrates your successes  with you and helps reignite your passion and drive when enthusiasm wanes. You are not alone.

Visit the Intensive link below for more information and to register.

Reclaiming Independence Intensive

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

 

How to Improve Gait and Balance

mobility challenges, tai chi

Question:

Can you recommend any techniques for how to improve gait and balance? At present I tend to drag my right leg. If I go for a walk I am OK after about half a mile. I tend to drag my leg on short runs and around the house

John

Response:

First, Consider doing Tai Chi on a regular basis. It is a good idea to connect with a teacher who is proficient. There are excellent DVDs on Tai Chi that also extremely helpful if accessed on a regular basis.

Second, listen to the inspiring interview with Dancer Pamela Quinn who offers a variety of dynamite suggestions that provide suggestions for how to improve gait and balance.

One suggestion (among others from Pamela Quinn) for how to improve gait and balance

Third, Pamela offers a number of suggestions to persons with mobility challenges. She suggested for example that you practice kicking a soccer ball using the leg that drags. It helps to wake up that lazy leg.

You obviously do not want to kick a soccer ball while going to work or doing errands. Instead – you simply pretend that you are kicking the soccer ball as you walk from one place to the next. It works just as well as if you were actually kicking it.

Try bouncing a ball as you walk – just as you did when you were a boy. Your foot is dragging because your body is navigating through neural pathways that are dysfunctional. When you bounce a ball while you walk – you create new neural networks. This short circuits the old pathways that are presently hindering that lazy leg’s functionality.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery

Books
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
Pioneers of Recovery
Five Steps to Recovery

Resources
Dehydration Therapy: Aquas
Parkinsons Recovery Membership
Eye Drops for Cataracts

 

How to Manifest Rock Solid Walking

mobility challenges, Parkinsons Disease Information, rock solid walking

In this video I preview a marvelous suggestion for how to manifest rock solid walking.

Here is the clip of my interview with John Pepper.

This suggestion to manifest centered and balanced walking is one among – get this – 144 other therapies, techniques and approaches to manifest rock solid walking covered in my RockManifest Rock Solid Waling Solid Walking online course. The ideas and techniques are drawn from 275 interviews I have hosted on Parkinsons Recovery Radio over the past two decades. Visit the link below for more information about the course:

https://www.blog.parkinsonsrecovery.com/rock-solid-walking/

John Pepper, author of Reverse Parkinsons Disease, is a Parkinson’s Patient with six decades of experience. What has helped John manifest recovery is:

  • Taking Conscious Control of all movements
  • Doing Energetic Exercise
  • Managing Stress
  • Adopting a Positive Attitude

Below is the study which reports on the benefits of conscious control of movements to manifest Rock Solid Walking.

Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2007 Mar-Apr;21(2):123-6. Duration of Parkinson disease is associated with an increased propensity for “reinvestment”. R S W Masters, H S Pall, K M A MacMahon, F F Eves

Abstract

Background: As a consequence of difficulties in movement initiation and execution, people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are typically encouraged to consciously monitor and control the mechanics of their actions. This is described as ‘reinvestment’ and has been shown to help mediate effective motor output.

Objective: To examine the propensity for reinvestment in a sample of people with PD.

Methods: A volunteer sample of 55 people with PD was asked to complete a previously validated measure, the Reinvestment Scale. A sub-sample (and age matched controls) was asked to complete a recently developed, movement specific, version of the Scale. Data was collected on Mini Mental State Examination and the Hoehn & Yahr Scale. Participant demographics, including age of onset and duration of disease, were also collated.

Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that duration of disease was associated with reinvestment score on both the Reinvestment Scale and the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale.

Conclusions: Participants appeared to become more aware of the mechanics of their actions over time. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed with reference to rehabilitation.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Movement is Controlled by Two Independent Brain Centers

brain fitness, mobility challenges

A formidable challenge with manifesting rock solid walking is that movement is controlled by two independent brain centers.

Peter Strick, chair of neurobiology and scientific director of the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, and other scientists hypothesize there is a brain circuit in Parkinson’s patients that can be switched on and off to control movement.

Strick’s collaborators are focusing on two circuits in the brain that are hypothesized to  control movement. One circuit is damaged by Parkinson’s which results in manifesting symptoms associated with a Parkinsons diagnosis such as tremor, freezing, and poor balance and coordination.

Strick believes there is a second control mechanism that is fully functional.  When accessed, symptoms are quieted. Strick’s hypothesizes the fully functional  circuit is  switched on by strong emotions activated by positive experiences. More simply put, the endless joy of doing something that feeds our soul activates the circuit that facilitates effortless mobility.

The bottom line? The most effective “medicine” is to embrace activities that give you the greatest joy. Acknowledge the profound relief of symptoms that is associated when you “follow your bliss.”

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Rock Solid Walking Online Course

 

Mobility Exercises

mobility challenges, Parkinsons Disease Information

Many people believe that the solution to mobility challenges is found in finding the right medications or supplements or herbs to take, not with mobility exercises. After an exciting decade of research into the question of what helps people regain excellent mobility, I have drawn the conclusion that medications or supplements or herbs do not offer a long term solution. Something else – something you would have never guessed – does.

I have concluded that practicing the ability to perform more than one task at a time offers welcome benefits to anyone who currently experiences issues with maintaining good balance and also anyone who fears the prospect of falling when walking. Watch my video below to discover mobility exercises that are fun and simple to do.

For information about the Walk with Ease and Confidence program, visit:

http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

Robert Rodgers PhD
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

How to Improve Gait and Balance

mobility challenges, Parkinsons Disease Treatment

Hans de Rijke from The Hague in Holland called in during one of my radio shows and told us all about how he overcomes any and all challenges with walking by bouncing a ball. Isn’t that clever? He demonstrates his eloquent answer to the question how to improve gait and balance in the short video below.

His video demonstrates how this simple technique works for how to improve gait and balance.  You are going to have to turn you head to the side to watch. Just count that as part of your day’s exercise program.

Do you have a ball hanging around at home? Why not give it a try? Hans explains that no one takes notice of a man bouncing a ball down the street. It helps make you feel a lot younger than walking down the street with a cane.

Parkinsons Recovery is all about helping you figure out ways you can get sustain relief from your symptoms.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Rock Solid Walking Online Course

Riding Scooters, Bouncing Balls and Using Nordic Walking Sticks

Exercise and Parkinson's, mobility challenges

Dear Robert

Last spring I was in the hospital for my half-year visit to my neurologist. In one of the corridors I nearly had a collision with a white-dressed woman who was riding on a scooter. (We call it a step.)

After I stepped aside (she did not even apologize) I had a flash of insight: That’s a good way to move along l halls and long corridors of the train stations and the schools where I work.

I contacted a surf shop nearby and they showed me all kinds of scooters (even with a motor on it) and for my 60th birthday I received a beautiful scooter. I am very happy with it and I use him to do some shopping. I go to the railway station by bus and I take the scooter on my back and I use it on the platforms.

Every Tuesday when my wife and I look after my grandson, we go together on the scooter to the public library. Even when I have an unexpected off-period and it’s difficult for me to walk I can use the scooter.

After bouncing the ball, kicking the football …

and walking with Nordic-walking sticks …

It’s for me a good way to move along.

And tomorrow I am going to my weekly Salsa-lesson in a restaurant near the beach. And I’m going by scooter!!

Hans de Rijke

The Hague

Holland

Problems with Balance, Walking, Talking and Sweating

Ayurveda, detoxes, Drug Side Effects, excessive sweating, heavy metals, medications, mobility challenges, Parkinsons Disease Treatment, Toxins in the Body

Question:

I still have a balance problem, a walking problem. Turning is also a problem – especially to the left, dryness in mouth, problem of pronunciation of some words while talking. excessive sweating at the left side of forehead is remarkable . I also feel pain at neck below head backside of ears.

Kindly help,

Sibnarayan
India

Response:

You have a series of symptoms which is typical of people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It is likely that the cause is multi-faceted.

First, there is an Ayurvedic doctor in India, Dr. Paneri from Gujarat, who sees people with Parkinson’s exclusively and is getting remarkable results. His website is: http://www.drpaneri.com

Second, check the side effects of the drugs you are taking. It is likely some of the problems you are experiencing may be simply the side effects of the drugs. You may want to talk with your doctor about adjusting your medications.

Third, I suggest that you focus your attention on finding doctors and health care practitioners who can help you detox the toxins in your body, I am guessing that toxins are a primary cause of your symptoms. You may well have an abundance of heavy metals and pesticides that have accumulated in your body.Once they are removed your symptoms may well subside.

There are many ways to detox – just check around and find an approach that appeals to you. I have been using zeolite personally with great success – but there are many other excellent methods that are effective as well.

You can get a wide variety of suggestions on detoxes from my new book which is described at: https://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

Know always that the body knows how to heal itself. We just have to give it a little extra loving kindness and attention sometimes.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

 

Problem with Walking

mobility challenges, music and Parkinson's, Parkinsons treatments

My Parkinson has been hovering for months now. I have rather rapidly had a problem with walking and have to get help when walking. So now my devoted wife Liz has to get me started by the old Army method “hut one hut two.”

I do have an appointment Feb. 19 with my neurologist. He has had the medicines I’ve been taking gradually phased out.Then on Feb. 19 he will introduce my system to a new and different drug which has some notable success.
My problem is how do I stand (e.g. survive) till then? Sinemet is what I have to rely on till then. (A urologist has me on two drugs to confine urology problems. So far this seems to be satisfactory)


I will appreciate your suggested road to nirvana. My wonderful wife is 81 years old and in July I will catch her.

I have several suggestions for you to consider, though I am not absolutely clear what symptom precisely you want help with. I understand walking is a problem, so let me focus on that symptom.

Suggestion One to Solve a Problem with Walking

Do you have a tennis ball or a rubber ball of any type? When you walk bounce the ball just like you did when you were a boy. Bounce the ball on the ground as you walk. If that doesn’t help – throw it into the air as you walk.

There is also a plastic ball which you find at fairs which has a rubbery string or chain that is attached to the ball itself. You put the rubbery string around your hand and throw the ball toward the ground as you walk (though the ball does not touch the ground). It is great fun – and it helps mobility greatly. (This brilliant suggestions is inspired by Hans from Holland).
Instead of walking with a cane or walker (where people perceive there is an old person attempting to walk) you are bouncing a ball like a child (so people perceive a youthful energy – and so do you!).

Play music while you walk and your problem with walking will improve. Listen with an ipod. Your wife is helping you with the music of her marching orders but she can’t sing every step you take (unless she has tireless vocal cords). Listening to music while you walk is also a great help, especially music that has a beat to it.

Suggestion Two

Nitendo Wii. Ever heard of it? Young people know about it. You play games like tennis which require you to exercise your balance. Buy a wii and try it out. You can always purchase it on a 30 day warranty so if it doesn’t work for you, just return it. Play a game (whatever you are called to play) every day. Have fun. Celebrate improvement in mobility.

Suggestion Three

I have documented interviews with individuals who have confronted problems similar to yours and discovered solutions that worked for them. The compilation of stories is included in Pioneers of Recovery which is available on Amazon.
Hopefully, three times is a charm and one of these ideas will be a winner for you to help solve the problem with walking.

All the best,

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
http://www.parkinsonsrecovery.com

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