Numerous studies have shown that the best way to slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease is through regular exercise. There have been many different forms of exercise studied to see what their impact is on the disease. All types of exercise, including walking, has the benefit of improving mood, reducing rigidity, improving balance and gait that, in turn, reduces pain. If your exercising is consistent and intense, it will help to improve many of your motor and non-motor symptoms.
Before starting an exercise program discuss your exercise plan with your primary care physician, neurologist and therapist. Before starting any exercise routine it is important
to warm up and cool down at the end.
New Pathways for Parkinsons, is an exercise class led by Carol Witham, Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, offers two free weekly classes that help people with Parkinson’s actively use all of the different muscles groups to keep their bodies active and to refresh their muscles with light stretching and flexibility exercises. Exercises focus on motor symptoms, balance, gait, mobility along with creating mental agility. Class is held every Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Village at Northrise, Hallmark Building, second level. Contact Sarah Stegall 575.496.2550, or Carol Witham at 207.653.1402 for details.
Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) is a national exercise program that enables people with Parkinson’s Disease to fight their disease by providing non-contact boxing style fitness programs that improve their quality of life and sense of efficacy and self-worth.
RSB provides encouragement through a “tough love” approach inspiring maximum effort, speed, strength, balance, and flexibility. Boxing works by moving your body in all planes of motion while continuously changing the routine as you progress through the workout. RSB classes can actually lessen symptoms and lead a happier/healthier life. Rock Steady Boxing No Doubt Training Academy Brochure
Rock Steady Boxing classes are held at Maximum Martial Arts, 1705 E. University Ave. Las Cruces, Monday and Friday at 11:00 a.m., with open gym on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Classes are taught by Gerry Burgos and Marlene Schauer under the direction of former and future World Champion Boxer Austin “No Doubt” Trout. The classes focus on overall fitness, strength training, reaction time and balance. Men and women of all ages with Parkinson’s Disease are invited to participate.
For information on costs and how to enroll, please call Taylor Trout at 575.650.0618 or email RSB Nodoubt nodoubt@rsbaffiliate.com
Note: Last spring,when I enrolled the PRICE OPTIONS were:
- A)-$160 Monthly (depending on the month averages to $20 per class)
- B)-$432 Three Month %10 OFF (lowers to $144 per month)
- C)-$816 Six Month %15 OFF (lowers to $136 per month)
- D)-$25 Per Class Billed at end the month
Pickelball. Pickleball is very similar to tennis, but is a little easier on the body. It combines hand and eye coordination with simple movements – less dashing about the court. For more information see How Pickleball helps Parkinson’s Sufferers.
Pickleball instruction and practice (Free) We currently play at Apodaca Park, Thursday morning 8-10 a.m., on courts 3 & 4. This schedule is in efect through September. In October we will play Thursday afternoon 12:15-2:30 p.m. on courts 3 & 4. . We may move indoors to Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave. if the weather is bad. Schedule changes are posted on our homepage and on our Events page.
For more experienced players, see The Organ Mountains Pickleball Club (OMPC). OMPC, a registered 501c(3) charitable organization, has generously paid our first year’s dues at Meerscheidt Recreation Center, as well as providing training at no charge.
Aqua Aerobics improves core stability, reduces stress and speeds up metabolism. conducts Yoga, Zumba, weight room and cycles. The City of Las Cruces Aquatics Center located at 141 E. Hadley in Las Cruces. For information on reservations, aquatic or fitness classes please review the class and registration calendar or call 575-541-2782 during business hours. or visit https://www.lascruces.gov/1337/Fitness-Classes.
New Excersice classes available in Las Cruces:
Richard Havey (retired dance professor and laughter yoga instructor) is offering the following free classes:
SEATED QI GONG classes at the Munson Senior Center at 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday afternoon. Located at 975 S. Mesquite Street.
SEATED LAUGHTER YOGA Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This class is held at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library at 200 E. Picacho Avenue, Roadrunner Room upstairs. An elevator is available. https://las-cruces.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/laughter-yoga/
QI GONG classes (both seated and standing) every Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Branigan Library in the Roadrunner Room upstairs. Same address as stated above. The link: https://las-cruces.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/chair-qi-gong/
T’ai Chi. One form of exercise that is shown to be beneficial is T’ai Chi. It works on gait, balance, posture, and the exercises are ones that cross the centerline of the body. The draw back for T’ai Chi is being able to remember the form.
Dancing is felt to be helpful. It improves cognition; there is rhythm involved that helps with gait. Music is always enjoyable. The AARP offers Zoom classes:
- Fitness: Dance Your Way to Better Health Wednesdays From 12:00 p.m. to 12:40 p.m.
- Balance & Mobility Class: Strengthen Your Stability Mondays From 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Bicycling: Parkinson’s disease patients benefit from bicycling. Depending upon pace and intensity, cycling has been shown to:
- Improve overall motor function
- Improve cognitive function
- Reduce tremor
- Reduce bradykinesia
- Reduce rigidity
- Improve aerobic capacity
- Improve mood
- Increase joy and social connections
- Plus its fun!
Find the right bike route for you through Las Cruces, where we’ve got 50 cycle routes to explore.
Massage:
This therapy can help with muscle soreness and tension, reduce rigidity and pain in many patients. Again, it is a type of therapy that would have to be done on a regular basis to have any
long-term affect. Orthobionomy is a form of massage that might be helpful to people with Parkinson’s as its gentle movement and manipulation of the body allowing the muscles to relax and release.
ALTERNATIVE EXERCISE TREATMENTS
Facial Muscles Exercise your facial muscles, jaw, and voice, when possible, to offset the Masked Face that comes with Parkinson’s. Sing or read aloud, exaggerating your lip movements. Make faces in the mirror. Chew your food vigorously and thoroughly. See 7 Facial Exercises For Parkinson’s Disease.
Speech Therapy People with Parkinson’s often end up speaking very softly, slurring words, or mumbling. Even though they hear themselves in their own heads, often they cannot be understood by the person to whom they are speaking. It is best to engage a Speech Therapist to provide advice on increasing the volume of your voice and exercises to improve your voice. Contact Dora Jasso, Outpatient Speech Language Pathologist and Coordinator, associated with Mountain View Regional Medical Center 575-556-6620 Email: Dora.Jasso@MountainViewRegional.com.