Search Weight Loss Topics:




Aug 10

Knock-Out Parkinson’s aiding patients at Mountain View Therapy in Montrose – Montrose Daily Press

Exercise Programs Comments Off on Knock-Out Parkinson’s aiding patients at Mountain View Therapy in Montrose – Montrose Daily Press

Parkinsons disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Its daily impact on people diagnosed with the disease is far reaching. Physical, cognitive functions and mental health are affected.

Eventually, the disease affects a patients ability to conduct daily activities safely.

Although the disease is not currently curable, and is progressive, in Montrose, people diagnosed with Parkinsons have a program that can give the disease a punch.

Thanks to Knock-Out Parkinsons, a boxing program provided by Montrose Memorial Hospital at Mountain View Therapy in Montrose, Parkinsons patients are able to disguise work as play and improve quality of life while slowing the progression of the disease.

Boxing is really fun and really interactive for [patients], said Jedd Beros, exercise physiologist at Mountain View Therapy.

The program, which began in the summer of 2018, is designed to improve quality of life by improving aerobic endurance, muscular strength, balance and coordination for patients diagnosed with Parkinsons disease.

Beros manages and supervises the program, working with patients in one hour blocks through a variety of aerobic exercises with stationary bikes, ellipticals and speed bags. The patients also work through strength training with weights and machines, and participate in bodyweight exercises and balance and coordination exercises.

The program has helped patients reduce tremors, improve walking patterns and increase blood flow to the brain that helps with the maintenance of Parkinsons symptoms. Every patient has basic things where improvement is needed in certain areas, but for a patient with a troublesome hip or back, the therapy center tries to individualize the program as best it can for the patient.

For example, if a patient has more trouble with balance, more time will be spent focusing on improvement in that area, or if a patient is struggling with aerobic fitness, muscular strength, they will spend more time with a NuStep, an exercise machine aimed at strengthening the muscles.

Parkinsons disease is progressive, irreversible and currently incurable, but exercise can help slow the progression of the disease, and can be a tool for maintenance, according to a written summary from Beros.

Another important note about the disease is its role in secreting dopamine. A part of the brain, basal ganglia, regulates movement, and within the basal ganglia is the substantia nigra, the part that releases dopamine. A patient with Parkinsons, Beros said, doesnt have as much dopamine release because blood flow to the brain isnt functioning normally.

But when exercising, patients are releasing more dopamine, and through the exercise, can improve walking speed, strength, endurance and balance. This will help reduce the chances of falls and improve quality of life.

Also, if the patient can tolerate the intensity, a high intensity exercise followed by moderate intensity combines together to release more dopamine affected by Parkinsons, and stays in the brain longer.

When a patient goes through all the movements, the boxing itself incorporates different components of exercise into one activity.

We do a lot of mitt work, so thats things like throwing out different punches jabs, hooks, uppercuts and really working on some reaction type issues. But also, because were going sometimes as long as two minutes non-stop, theyre working on aerobic fitness, and by throwing those punches, hard punches, theyre working on strength and power, too, Beros said.

On top of that, were working on balance, moving them around, side to side. So [were] really incorporating all the different components of exercise into one activity. Thats the fun thing about boxing. We can really have some fun with it, but at the same time were really doing good work and working on all the things they need to improve upon.

Strengthening legs is a focus for patients. Numerous patients have shown difficulty getting out of chairs, Beros said. Due to the disease affecting the part of the brain that controls body placement and moving patterns, patients often struggle with feet placement and getting in the right position. By improving length strength, patients are able to get out of chairs more comfortably and receive more strength and support when walking.

Mountain View Therapy also helps patients with home exercise programs with packets and ideas that a patient can sift through and try from home.

Thats the nice thing. Being able to see how they feel more comfortable and confident going about their daily activities, Beros said.

When we can try to improve anything, and something as easy as leg strength, thats a good way to help them tolerate the disease and the condition a little bit better, he later added.

Along with the benefits of the exercise, the group atmosphere gives patients a chance to have some interaction. The disease tends to limit social activity when the disease progresses. Through the program, some members have become friends, and outside of class, meet up for coffee and get-togethers, including spouses.

Having that atmosphere of getting out and seeing friends and having interactions is really good for, on top of their physical health, their mental health, too, Beros said.

Josue Perez is a staff writer for the Montrose Daily Press

Read more here:
Knock-Out Parkinson's aiding patients at Mountain View Therapy in Montrose - Montrose Daily Press

Related Posts

    Your Full Name

    Your Email

    Your Phone Number

    Select your age (30+ only)

    Select Your US State

    Program Choice

    Confirm over 30 years old

    Yes

    Confirm that you resident in USA

    Yes

    This is a Serious Inquiry

    Yes

    Message:



    matomo tracker