This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you have any complaints, consult your doctor.
A Parkinson's disease diagnosis for yourself or a loved one raises many questions. One of the most common is: do movement and exercise make sense, and which kinds are safe? Physical activity is now recognized as an important part of care for people with Parkinson's disease, alongside drug treatment, but its type, intensity and form are always chosen individually. In this article we explain in an accessible way what Parkinson's disease is, why physical activity in Parkinson's disease is discussed with a doctor and a therapy team, what types of movement are usually considered, how to ensure safety at home and when to seek urgent help. We do not provide a ready-made exercise program - only a specialist who knows the health of the specific person can prepare one.
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease. It is associated with the loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain responsible, among other things, for producing dopamine, which is involved in controlling movement. The disease usually develops slowly, and its course is different for each person.
Typical motor symptoms include:
- slowness of movement - movements become slower and smaller, and it is harder to initiate movement;
- tremor, often at rest, usually starting on one side of the body;
- muscle stiffness;
- posture and balance problems, which usually appear in the later stages of the disease.
The disease also has non-motor symptoms that can be just as troublesome: sleep disorders, loss of smell, mood disorders, constipation, drops in blood pressure on standing, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. The diagnosis is made and treatment is managed by a neurologist.
Why is physical activity important in Parkinson's disease?
Guidelines from neurological societies and patient organizations emphasize that regular physical activity, adapted to the person's abilities, is an important part of everyday life with Parkinson's disease. Movement helps maintain the ability to perform everyday activities such as walking, getting up from a chair or getting dressed, and it also matters for well-being and social contact.
It must be said clearly, however: exercise does not replace the treatment prescribed by a neurologist, and its effects for a specific person depend on many factors. Research on how different forms of activity affect the course of the disease is still ongoing, so it is worth being cautious about texts promising that some type of exercise will "stop" or "reverse" the disease. Reliable information about what to expect is best sought from your own doctor and physical therapist.
Who sets the activity plan for Parkinson's disease?
Caring for a person with Parkinson's disease usually involves several specialists. The make-up of the team depends on the needs and the stage of the disease:
| Specialist | Role in activity and everyday functioning |
|---|---|
| Neurologist | Diagnosis, treatment, assessing whether and what kind of exertion is safe, referrals to other specialists |
| Physical therapist | Assessing gait, balance, strength and mobility; preparing an exercise program and teaching how to do it |
| Occupational therapist | Help with everyday activities, adapting the home, choosing aids |
| Speech therapist | Speech, voice and swallowing exercises |
| Psychologist, psychiatrist | Support with mood disorders, anxiety and cognitive changes |
| Dietitian | Nutrition, e.g. with constipation, weight loss, in the context of medications taken |
| Primary care doctor | Care for other conditions, coordination of treatment |
The exercise plan is prepared by a physical therapist after an examination and in consultation with the doctor. It takes into account the stage of the disease, other conditions (e.g. heart, joints, osteoporosis), the risk of falls, medications taken and what the person enjoys doing - because regularity is easier when the activity is enjoyable.
What types of activity are usually considered?
Below we describe general groups of activities that are often discussed in the context of Parkinson's disease. This is not an exercise guide, but a help for your conversation with a specialist - you can ask your doctor or physical therapist which of them are appropriate in your situation.
Endurance activity
Walking, Nordic walking, riding a stationary bike, swimming, dancing. Intensity and duration are set individually, starting from a level that is comfortable for the person.
Strengthening exercises
Bodyweight exercises, exercises with light weights or resistance bands, e.g. getting up from a chair. It is worth agreeing on their selection and technique with a physical therapist.
Balance and gait exercises
Physical therapists use, among other things, exercises for lengthening the stride, changing direction, walking to the rhythm of music or with visual cues. Balance exercises carry a risk of falling, which is why they should not be done alone without prior instruction and without safeguards.
Flexibility and posture exercises
Gentle stretching and exercises that encourage an upright posture, done slowly and without pain.
Breathing, speech and swallowing exercises
These are usually led by a speech therapist or physical therapist. They are especially important in the later stages of the disease.
Group classes
Many cities have exercise groups, dance classes or Nordic walking for people with Parkinson's disease, organized by patient associations, among others. Besides movement, they offer contact with people who understand the everyday challenges of the disease.
How to make your home safer
Balance problems, slowness of movement, episodes of sudden gait "freezing" (when the feet seem to stick to the floor) and drops in blood pressure on standing increase the risk of falls. A few changes in the home can help reduce this risk:
| Area | What is worth doing |
|---|---|
| Walkways | Remove rugs, cables and thresholds where possible; leave wide, straight paths |
| Narrow spaces and doors | Reduce tight passages, where gait freezing occurs more often |
| Bathroom | Grab bars by the toilet and shower, non-slip mats, a shower chair, a raised toilet seat |
| Bedroom | A bed at a height that makes getting up easier, a lamp and phone within reach, a lit path to the bathroom at night |
| Stairs | Handrails on both sides, contrasting marking of step edges |
| Furniture | Stable chairs with armrests and without wheels; an armchair that is easy to get up from |
| Footwear and clothing | Closed, well-fitting shoes with non-slip soles; clothes that are easy to put on |
An occupational therapist or physical therapist can assess the home and suggest specific solutions. We describe general principles for preparing the home and staying active for older adults in the article activity for seniors at home.
How to stay active safely every day
- Agree on a plan with your neurologist and physical therapist, and if you have other conditions - also with your attending doctor.
- Ask about the time of day to exercise. Well-being and mobility can change during the day depending on how medications are working. Your doctor or physical therapist will suggest when activity will be most comfortable.
- Get up slowly. If you are prone to drops in blood pressure, sit for a moment on the edge of the bed or chair before standing up.
- Exercise with stable support and, especially at first, with another person present.
- Drink water and avoid exertion in hot weather.
- Do not change medication doses on your own, even if exercise seems to "go better" or "worse" at different times.
- Write down your observations - when you feel better, when worse, whether there have been falls or freezing episodes. This is valuable information for your doctor.
When to stop exercising and seek help
Stop the activity and rest, and in case of warning symptoms call for help (112 or your local emergency number), if you experience:
- chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, heart palpitations;
- dizziness, feeling faint, fainting;
- sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, speech or vision problems;
- a fall with a head injury, severe pain or a suspected fracture;
- sudden confusion, unusual behavior, high fever;
- problems swallowing, choking.
A marked, sudden decline in mobility, more frequent falls or new symptoms after a change of medication also require prompt contact with a doctor.
How to support a loved one with Parkinson's disease in staying active
- Accompany them on walks and during exercise - shared activity becomes a habit more easily.
- Allow independence at the person's own pace; do not do everything for them.
- Remember the physical therapist's tips, e.g. strategies for gait freezing - use only those that have been demonstrated.
- Take care of yourself. Caring for a chronically ill person is demanding, and support for caregivers is offered by support groups and patient associations, among others.
- Pay attention to mood - low mood, withdrawal and anxiety are common in Parkinson's disease and are worth mentioning to the doctor.
How to prepare for a conversation about activity with your doctor and physical therapist
Appointments can be short, so it is worth preparing for them. It may be useful to write down in advance:
- what forms of movement you do now and which ones you enjoyed before the illness;
- whether you have recently had falls, trips or episodes of gait freezing - when and in what situations;
- at what time of day you feel more mobile, and when worse;
- whether you feel dizzy when standing up;
- which activities cause the most difficulty: getting out of bed, getting dressed, stairs, turning around;
- a full list of medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
It is also good to ask directly: what forms of activity are right for me, what should I avoid, how often and how long should I exercise, what symptoms should make me stop exercising, and when should I come for a follow-up. If possible, bring a loved one to the appointment - it is then easier to remember the recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Can exercise stop Parkinson's disease?
There is no basis for promising that exercise will stop the disease. Regular activity is, however, recognized as an important part of care and everyday functioning. Its type and intensity are set with the neurologist and physical therapist, and exercise does not replace treatment.
What exercises are good for Parkinson's disease?
Endurance activity, strengthening exercises, balance and gait exercises, stretching, and breathing and speech exercises are usually considered. A physical therapist selects the specific program after an examination, taking into account the stage of the disease and other conditions.
Can a person with Parkinson's disease exercise alone at home?
They can do the exercises a physical therapist has shown and recommended, while following safety rules. Balance exercises and new forms of activity are best done first under supervision or with another person present.
What time of day should you exercise?
It depends on individual well-being and how medications are working. Many people notice that their mobility changes during the day. It is worth agreeing on the time for activity with your doctor or physical therapist, and not changing doses or medication times on your own.
What is gait freezing?
It is a sudden, brief episode in which the feet seem to "stick" to the floor, often when starting to walk, changing direction or in a narrow passage. It increases the risk of falling. A physical therapist shows ways to cope with it, and it is worth informing your neurologist about such episodes.
How to reduce the risk of falls at home?
Remove obstacles and rugs, install grab bars and handrails, improve lighting, choose stable furniture and closed shoes with non-slip soles. Get up slowly. An occupational therapist or physical therapist can advise on specific changes in the home.
Where to look for help and information?
The primary source of information is the attending neurologist. Support for patients and caregivers is also offered by Parkinson's disease associations, which organize exercise classes and support groups, among other things.
Does Teeter have equipment designed for people with Parkinson's disease?
No. We do not offer equipment intended for Parkinson's disease therapy and we do not recommend our products as a remedy for this disease. The form of activity and any aids are chosen by the therapy team.
Useful resources
- Activity for seniors at home - home safety, general activity recommendations and the role of specialists.
- Home exercise equipment - an overview - types of equipment and the specifications worth looking at.
- Dizziness - causes and when to see a doctor - warning symptoms and how diagnosis works.
