With Parkinson’s Disease, standing on one leg can be daunting. When I’m evaluating new clients, they tell me they hate standing on one leg because it never gets better, no matter how much they practice. Tight tissue in the ankles and calves can have a huge effect or your ability to stand on one foot.
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Breath-holding and shallow breathing are common with Parkinson’s disease. Shallow breathing, also known as chest breathing, occurs when a person takes short, rapid breaths using only the upper part of the lungs rather than breathing deeply with the diaphragm. This pattern is often triggered by stress, anxiety, poor posture, or chronic tension, and over time it can become the body’s default way of breathing. Instead of allowing the lungs to fully expand, shallow breathing limits oxygen exchange and forces the body to work harder just to maintain normal function.
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Can you blow up a balloon? 🎈
Many people with Parkinson’s are surprised to discover they can no longer blow up a balloon to help with a grandchild’s birthday party. Something that once seemed so simple can slowly diminish without us even realizing it.
But why?
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Balance depends on several body systems working together smoothly. As you walk, you naturally move your head and use your vision and hearing to stay aware of your surroundings and position in space. This sense of body awareness is known as proprioception.
Continue reading “Train Your Balance: Head Movement Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease”
A key step in improving your posture is to address the position of your rib cage before focusing on your head and neck. When your ribs collapse forward or become rounded, they often pull your upper body out of alignment. In response, the muscles in your neck are forced to work harder to keep your head upright, which commonly leads to a forward head position.
Continue reading “A Better Way To Improve Posture With Parkinson’s (It’s Not What You Think)”