You Need To Do the Face Pull Exercise To Improve Your Parkinson’s Stooped Posture

Parkinson’s stooped forward posture is painful and really causes a lot of gait and balance issues. It can be one of the most distressful symptoms of Parkinson’s.

This next exercise is great for anyone wanting to improve their posture or prevent problems from starting in the first place. It’s all about strengthening the upper back. These muscles act like a back brace, and strengthening them doesn’t require a lot of fancy equipment—just a lightweight resistance band and an anchor point above your head.

Watch this video to learn how you can improve your posture with the Face Pull exercise:

Follow these steps to do the Face Pull at home:

• First, get your band anchored safely. It needs to be overhead whether you are seated or standing to do this exercise.

• Most commercial door anchors consist of a sturdy nylon loop that has a thicker part on one side. To use it, close the door with the thick part on the other side of the door and the band on the opposite side.

• To create your own simple door anchor, take a piece of material like a bandanna and wrap it around the band in the middle.

• Place it over the door with the material leading into the next room.

• Shut the door securely and you have a door anchor. (Make sure no one opens the door while you are working out!)

• Once you have anchored your band, you are ready to start.

• Face the door holding on to the ends of the band in each hand, arms high in the air with palms facing each other and thumbs facing up.

• Stand up straight and pull the band back and apart with bent elbows in the air. Feel your back muscles working as you lead with your thumbs backward. Think “hitchhiking thumbs behind you.”

• Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

This is a great exercise for anyone! It will definitely strengthen your upper back. Start with 10 and as you get stronger add more sets.

Start getting stronger today!

💜 Coach Kimberly