How to Treat Parkinson’s Anxiety With the Palm Press Maneuver

Anxiety is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s, caused by changes in brain chemistry. Up to 40 percent of people with PD will experience some form of anxiety.

Anxiety can feel like general uneasiness or nervousness, or if it escalates, you may experience a sudden sense of severe physical and emotional distress. Fortunately, there are things you can do to manage these symptoms.

First, make sure your doctor knows you are experiencing symptoms. You can also try simple vagus nerve stimulation techniques like this one to safely help calm your system down.

There are several great, actionable ways to get out of fight-or-flight mode (sympathetic nervous system) and to a calmer place (parasympathetic nervous system).

How? By stimulating the vagus nerve, the main part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like digestion, heart rate, and a calm mood. When working correctly, the vagus nerve keeps your body in homeostasis (balanced functions).

This simple breathing and hand technique is a relaxing way to help treat anxiety and stress.

Watch this video to learn How to treat Parkinson’s Anxiety with the Palm-Press Maneuver:

Here are the step-by-step instructions to perform this technique:

Do this exercise in rounds of three. For the first round of three breaths:

1. Hold your hands in a prayer-like position. Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed.

1. Take a long inhale through your nose, driving the air to your side ribs, back, and belly.
2. When you have fully inhaled, firmly press the palms of your hands together while holding your breath with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. DO NOT BEAR DOWN. Just comfortably hold as long as you are able.
3. When you feel a medium-strong urge to exhale, slowly breathe out through your nose while releasing the pressure of the palms.
4. Shake out your hands, reposition, and repeat the first steps until you have done three cycles.

Wait two minutes and repeat steps one through five for two more rounds. This should total three rounds and nine breaths. Do this maneuver in the morning or any time you need a calming reset.

Check out my other vagal nerve stimulation exercises to address your stress:

• Do the Butterfly Hug Bilateral Stimulation To Help Parkinson’s Anxiety
• Try This Vagus Nerve Maneuver To Calm Anxiety With Parkinson’s

💜 Coach Kimberly