[imark3000]

http://wcco.com/health/Parkinsons.Di...2.1432913.html

In Robichaud's lab, patients rest their arm on a bar and push it as best as possible while their muscle speed and exertion are recorded nearby. While a healthy patient could push the bar with one smooth muscle movement, Parkinson's patients require a series of muscle bursts.

But after six months of training, for some patients, five muscle bursts have been reduced to just two.

"This is new. I think your average neurologist, when they take care of a Parkinson's patient, they mention drugs they don't mention exercise, " said Dr. Cynthia Camilla with Rush University Medical Center -- who is part of the team running the study.

Physicians in the study say these first results indicate exercise can partially liberate patients from the drowsiness and motor complications that can be side effects of Parkinson's medication.

Berveiler knows he will never be medication free, but he sure likes how he's feeling now.

"The difference is between living like I am 85 or 90 all the time or having lots of times when I feel like I'm 30-years-old, " he said.

Forty-eight patients are taking part in the study, working out at least twice a week. Doctors say their muscle movements will never return to normal, but all are showing some sign of improvement

Imad

[jeanb]

I've heard that exercise may slow progression. In a couple of different conferences I heard about the "monkeys who watched."

Two sets of monkeys were experimented on. One set was forced to exercise, the second set did not exercise (they sat and watched). They were both exposed to MPTP.

Group #1 - who exercised showed little or no parkinson's symptoms / no dopamine producing cell loss.

Group #2 - the monkeys who watched - had full blown parkinson's symptoms including loss of dopamine producing cells.

[Aunt Bean]

If it was not for my determination ......stretching my neck/ back /shoulder muscles to their absolute limit each morning & getting them to relax..then doing doorframe stretches to correct & maintain posture....I would probably be close to needing a caregiver, instead of being a caregiver. I exercize as much as possible and feel good. I learned alot about the body & especially muscles in massage school and though I don't give many massages to others...I am real good at getting my own muscles to relax and remain flexible. I think exercize is just as important as dopamine supplementation and staying away from stressful situations as much as possible. Also fresh air/sunshine and organic "home-grown" foods will go a long way in allowing us to cope with any limitations that we have .
And for me...Grow Beans.