Exercise For Parkinson's

There was an abundance of information available to me regarding the benefits of postural and core stabilizing exercises, but every time I added the exercises proposed (Physical therapy, core exercises over a ball, etc.), It hurt my back more and strained my neck. This led me to a brand new feedback technology which enhances many core strengthening exercise programs. I learned that this Core training product is being used by many professionals and that it is also being used with some of our returning veterans who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan to regain core strength as they learn to stand in their new prosthetic. This new technology has helped me regain my abdominal muscle control, increased my core stability, and I believe has even significantly increased my energy level. This new core exercise tool is called the “AB-Inforcer Core Biofeedback Trainer”. It was patented, engineered and developed, by a woman owned company in Los Angeles called AB-Vanced NEU-Spine Technologies, LLC. The inventor, Lee Brandon is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist for 30 years, who believes that the secret to better functional movement is core strength, core stability and better postural awareness. She developed this technology to help people train in better form by using biofeedback.. It uses sound, lights and vibration to help you feel if you are in the proper position or not. It’s sort of like having your own abdominal and core strength coach. The exercises that she instructed me to perform on the AB-Inforcer focus on three areas and according to the research are proposed to be helpful to Parkinson's patients. First, it focused me on using proper breathing muscles separated from a stronger and more stable core and low back. Secondly, it taught me the importance of my head and neck position in relation to the rest of my body and spine. And thirdly, the exercises and the feedback provided by the machine provided me better postural awareness and postural muscles strengthening. The interesting fact is that I did not change my meds or add anything new into my regimen. I started working out with the AB-Inforcer in May 2008. 7 weeks later my back pain was gone and so were my headaches, 3 months later my legs are stronger and my posture is getting better. If you don't have good posture and you are leaning forward or your head is in the wrong position, then you won't have good balance and that is very important to have with Parkinson's disease. I will not need that walker anymore. The research indicates what I tested to be true, and that is that postural/core strength are directly connected to gait and balance.After 3 months of training with the AB-Inforcer, my Dr. Okun, was shocked At my appointment on August 4, 2008, , he could not believe how good I was doing based on the UPDRS: HON AHD YHAR Testing criteria. I was able to walk fast down the hall, stand up with my hands across my chest from a sitting position - a task I was never able to do before and I passed all my other test. My scores use to be 4's the worst score you can get. This visit my score was a 0, the best you can get. He confirmed that whatever training I had been doing with the AB-Inforcer has definitely helped me. I know this technology is not a cure and that it might not help everyone, but it has given me a better quality of life back and I hope we can help others with PD to have the same chance. They say that exercise is very important with a PD patient. I was doing certain exercises in physical therapy for years and it didn’t seem to help me much. I believe that the AB-Inforcer’s lights and sound and vibration feedback has allowed me to train smarter and harder in much better form and I am convinced that this better form is part of the reason why I am doing so much better today. I feel that someone needs to tell other PD patients that this technology exists, that it works and that there are answers out there in addition to taking the meds. I would love for your team to review this protocol for further evaluation regarding “gait and balance” improvements in connection to postural/core strength. I am not the only one with these above average results. There presently are more PD sufferers using this technology with great success. ________________________________________________________________ How the AB-Inforcer can potentially help those with gait and balance issues: But now some individuals with PD are finding a way to move more easily that doesn't involve taking more drugs. Instead, they're doing AB-Inforcer® Core Biofeedback Trainer exercises.Developed by Lee Brandon, CSCS, these exercises focus on three areas that seem to be very helpful to Parkinson's patients - breathing and strengthening the "core muscles," addressing the spine as a system and providing postural awareness and postural strengthening. Breath "training" helps because many people with PD tend to breathe shallowly, which limits the amount of oxygen they can take in. Core exercises assist with postural awareness, which Parkinson's patients find difficult to maintain. Addressing the spine as a system while training the entire core is critical for postural improvements (We call this Spinal Triangulation™ ).AB-Inforcer® Core Biofeedback Trainer exercises use very controlled movements, and are based on the theory that it's more important to reinforce good motor patterns and avoid repetitive micro trauma and move correctly in good form with every exercise. Beginning progressions are gentle and simple; many are done lying down. The three sensors and biofeedback in the form of light, sound and vibration assist in promoting better form in each exercise, remove excessive momentum and distortion, and helps isolate out the use of the hip flexors which is a root of many postural distortions. This makes these core exercises ideal for rehabilitation, and in fact they're sometimes recommended for other conditions under a professionals care, like post spine surgery rehab, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and scoliosis.One of the biggest advantages of training on the AB-Inforcer®, though, is the flexibility of its routines. Exercises can be personalized to meet the individual needs of the people doing them clinically and at home for maintenance. Core exercises have been recommended for Parkinson's before. Those who use the AB-Inforcer’s new biofeedback training technology for their Core training have found it helped them become stronger, more flexible, and more balanced in a shorter amount of time. It's been three years and I am still going strong and have not increase my meds.

How The AB-Inforcer Can help Those With PD‏

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in Oct. 2000 at the age of 36.I went to physical therapy for over 5 years 2 times a week for lower back pain,neck pain and severe headaches, but that did not help the pain and my walking was getting worse. I also wasn't able to stand up straight. My doctor increased my meds but that did not help. In January 2008 I had my check up with my Neurologist we talked about getting a handicap sticker and possibly in 6 months to a year needing something to help me walk. I left there thinking about what we talked about and decided I'm not going to let PD take over me. I did some research to see if there was an exercise I can do to help me with my pain , my posture and to get my legs stronger. I found Lee Brandon, CSCS by researching core strengthening exercises and performance and I asked her if she has ever worked with someone with PD as she has worked with people who had back problems to get there back stronger. She said no but after telling her about PD and how I was feeling, she said that she was willing to give it a try to help me. I started working out with Lee over the phone doing my Core exercises using the Core biofeedback system called the AB-Inforcer in May 2008. 7 weeks later my back pain was gone and so were my headaches, 3 months later my legs are stronger and my posture is getting better. If you don't have good posture and you are leaning forward or your head is in the wrong position, then you won't have good balance and that is very important to have with Parkinson's disease. I will not need that walker anymore. The research indicates what I tested to be true, and that is that postural/core strength are directly connected to gait and balance.After 3 months of training doing these exercises with Lee's guidance, my doctor, Dr. Okun at Gainesville, was shocked at my appointment on August 4, 2008, , he could not believe how good I was doing based on the UPDRS: HON AHD YHAR Testing criteria. I was able to walk fast down the hall, stand up with my hands across my chest from a sitting position - a task I was never able to do before and I passed all my other test. My scores use to be 4's the worst score you can get. This visit my score was a 0, the best you can get. He confirmed that whatever training I had been doing with the AB-Inforcer has definitely helped me. Now in 2010, I am still performing at a heightened level with a higher degree of balance and improved posture due to maintaining this exercise program."UPDRS pre and post test done by same Neurological team in Gainesville in Florida.
I have been helping other Parkinson's patients with this Core biofeedback system and they are getting the success I got with this exercise. I am trying to get Physical Therapist and Chiropractors to incorparate this exercise in there procedures. I know with this exercise along with other exercise Parkinson's Patients will benefit. It has been over 2 1/2 years since I have been working out with the Ab-Inforcer and I am still going strong. And since I am doing so good my doctor lowered my Meds on July, 21, 2009. When I went back for my follow up Feb,15,2010 my Doctor said I was doing so well she said I look like someone that was newly diagnosed.
I believe exercise and keeping the core muscles strong is the key for Parkinson's pateints. Because the Ab-Inforcer not only helps the core muscles it helps with breathing and strenghthens the posture. Keeping your posture straight will help with balance.
Check out my before and after video http://youtu.be/LqDGYwqsWvE

A Letter For My Friends

I have Parkinson's disease. It is not contagious. No one knows what causes it, but some of the dopamine cells in the brain begin to die at an accelerated rate. Everyone slowly loses some dopamine cells as the grow older. If the cells suddenly begin to die at a faster rate, Parkinson's disease develops. It is a slowly progressive disease usually occurring as people get older. Medicine can help. I'll take newer, stronger kinds over the years. Some make me sick and take lots of adjustments. Stick with me. I have good days and bad days.

Emotions: Sometimes I cry and appear to be upset and you think you have done something to hurt my feelings. Probably not. It is the Parkinson's Keep talking to me. Ignore the tears. I'll be ok in a few minutes.

Tremors: You are expecting me to shake. Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Medicine today takes care of the tremors. If my hands, feet, or head are shaky, ignore it. I'll sit on my hands or put them in my pockets. Treat me as you always have. What's a little shakiness between friends.

My face: You think you don't entertain me anymore because I'm not grinning or laughing. If I appear to stare at you, or have a wooden expression, that's the Parkinson's I hear you. I have the same intelligence, it just isn't easy to show facial expressions.

Stiffness: We are ready to go somewhere and I get up. I can hardly move. Maybe my medicine is wearing off. The stiffness or rigidity is part of Parkinson's Let me take my time, keep talking.

Exercise: I need to walk each day. Two to three miles is good. Walk with me. Company makes walking fun. It may be a slow walk, but I'll get there. Remind me if I slump or stoop. I don't always know I'm doing this. My stretching, bending, exercises must be done everyday. Help me with them if you can.

My voice: As my deeper tones disappear, you'll notice my voice is getting higher and wispy. That's the Parkinson's I know you can talk louder, faster and finish my sentences for me. I don't care for that. Let me talk, get my thoughts together and speak for myself. I'm still there. My mind's okay. Since I'm slower in movement, my thoughts are slower too. I want to be part of the conversation. Let me speak.

Sleeplessness: I may complain that I can't sleep. If I wander around in them middle of the night, that's Parkinson's It has nothing to do with what I ate or how early I went to bed. I may nap during the day. Let me sleep when I can. I can't always control when I'm tired or feel like sleeping. Be patient, my friends. I need you. I'm the same person, I've just slowed down. It's not easy to talk about Parkinson's, but I'll try if you really want to know. I need my friends. I want to continue to be part of life. Please remain my friend.

Parkinson's Beast

October, 2000, This is the day I was personally diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
It's a day to stand strong in facing the beast and telling it that I have not succumbbed to being it's fool and vow another year not to be suckered into believing its lies. It's a time to vow another year as its opponent and thus on that day yearly I shall face in square in its eyes and declare the following:

1) PD beast-- I will not be fooled into believing that YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF ME. You may have destroyed some of my brain dopamine-producing cells but you will never destroy my spirit. My spirit will stay strong despite your blows towards my head and heart. I will continue to dodge your blows and stand up again if knocked down.

2) PD Beast-- I will not gullibally give in to your lies about how you will REDUCE MY LIFE SPAN WITH PD CAUSED COMPLICATIONS because I have and will continue exercising, eating healthy, and taking supplements to keep my body at its peak. I will live longer, be healthier and happier.

3) PD Beast-- I will not be played as your fool by thinking my QUALITY OF LIFE will be any less because of you... But, on the contrary, my enemy, my friend, the quality of my life will be heightened in spite of you for I will make effort to cherish every moment with family and friends reaching out to give in any way I can... Even if I am reduced to total physical immobility, I will remain positive and strong in spirit to give to everyone an example and inspiration of strength, faith and reliance on God's holy spirit.

4) PD Beast-- I will not be lulled into believing that THERE ARE THINGS I CANNOT DO ANYMORE. Because of you I may need to creatively adapt to accomplish a task or goal but I vow to embrace you as part of me and not give up any goals I have or will desire to make for I am told to love my enemies-- you are one of my prime enemies which has taken permanent residence within me refusing to leave. Thus, I take you with me as I run a marathon, play outdoor games , as I drive, work, eat, sleep and as I breathe each breath. You shall keep me humble, modest, and respectful in reminding me of human frailaty and immortality... Thus, I will remain strong, determined, and happy.

TRANSMIT DOPAMINE

When I woke up this morning I noticed something was missing
'cause my brain keeps on talking but know my body won't listen
There's some cells in my head arriving DOA, dead,
I tell you life is so mean when you don't have dopamine
Now my body won't cooperate, it's like it's on a separate
circuit, now it's dead, and my legs feel like lead
But I'll walk down this road, I swear I'll carry my load
I'm going to fight to the end, and I won't break, 'cause I can bend

I want to scream but I won't because all that stress
Will cut me down if I don't get a grip on this mess
This isn't fair, but then nothing I know is
It's just the luck of the draw, I guess I drew the short straw
I do believe, and I'll never give up my hope
And I won't leave now I've got nowhere else to go
I do conceive of the day when ganglia show
Up again on the scene to transmit dopamine for me

Now dope isn't dope, drugs make you stupid and bitter
But I say dopamine's down 'cause it's a neurotransmitter
It gives you just what you need to kick you up high speed
Guess what ? Without it you'd freeze. It'd knock you down to your knees
Well I was prime in my time, yeah I could pick up a dime
Now check out how I seize, locked up on Parkinson's Disease
I couldn't run if I tried, It's always there at my side

Let me explain once again that these chains that I bear
Don't get me down, I get up, now I won't ever run scared
And I don't care if you stare at this body that I wear
That's just fine and in no time I'll be better, I swear
It's no friend, but then again there's so much PD has taught me
Who could say I'd be better if it hadn't of caught me
I laugh through the tears but isn't that what you do ?
I've no fear 'cause it's near, my shaking day's will be through

Help Spread Awarness Of Early Onset Parkinson's Disease

I would like to share with you how my life was before Parkinson's, in hope that you can help me raise awareness about this disease, particularly during Parkinson’s Awareness Month, which is April.

There is Approximately 10,000 out of 1.5 Million Diagnosed each year with Early Onset Parkinson's Disease.

Although some of my doctors suspect a bout with Lyme’s Disease triggered my Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease at this time, the research indicates that it was in my genes, and would have presented itself eventually.

Since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in Oct. 2000 at the age of 36, my life has not been the same. Prior to my diagnosis, I was working full-time at a home improvement store, only three weeks away from becoming a supervisor. I got sick the week before Easter of 2000, with what I thought was a bad case of the flu. When I was rushed to the hospital with a fever of 105, they did a spinal tap, suspecting meningitis. Instead, they discovered I had one of the worst cases of Lyme Disease the doctor had ever seen (Earlicia Lyme Disease) and I was put on strong antibiotics for 30 days. After the antiobotics were done, I was re-tested, and pronounced clear of the Lyme Disease.

Five months later, my hands were shaking to the point that I could not hold onto things. I thought it was a side effect of the medicine I had finished months earlier, but a phone call to the doctor quickly disproved my theory. I ended up with a referral to a neurologist instead. The neurologist ran a comprehensive battery of tests, each one coming back fine until the last test. That last test was a PET scan, which revealed the lack of dopamine growing back in my brain—the red flag for Parkinson’s Disease. In my case, because of my age, the doctor used the other tests to rule out everything else before diagnosing me with Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease. From that point on, life as I knew it changed drastically.

Through the time period I was being treated for Lyme Disease, my boss worked with me. However, after my diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease, I had to disclose the medication I was taking, and the reason for taking it. A week later, I was called in and told that the company was doing cutbacks, and I was no longer needed. Although I was still able to carry out my job competently, perhaps I was a risk they didn’t want to take. Either way, people hired six months before kept their jobs, and my four years experience didn’t seem to matter.

At that point, I had to go off of my medication, since I no longer had a salary. I also could not get another job, due to the pre-existing condition now noted on the insurance connected to the job I no longer had. Without medication for over a year, my condition worsened drastically.

Eventually, I had to move from New York to Florida, back in with my parents. I applied for disability so I could go back on the medication, expecting it to take a few months. Instead, it took two years of fighting, reapplying, and arguing with the so-called experts who insisted that I couldn’t possibly have Parkinson’s at age 36. Without the backing of a doctor, due to my lack of insurance, the process became overwhelmingly complicated. I was finally approved two years later.

Then, I went to see a Movement Disorder Specialist in Tampa, FL, who confirmed my diagnosis, and started me on a new round of medication. The medicine helped some, but I had gone too long without medication, and had lost significant ground. Each day since then has been a struggle to regain muscle strength, balance, energy, and some relief from the pain.

Strangely enough, some of the most unpleasant parts of this disease have been non-medical. When I go into a store, or out to dinner with friends, and others notice my hands shaking, the comments are not compassionate or concerned. I am treated as if I were a junkie in need of a fix. In fact, since people aren’t aware that young people can even have Parkinson’s Disease, they assume the worst. Walking through a store, people stare at me, and comment loudly that I must “need a drink” or “a fix” as if I am just willingly walking around impaired.

Specifically, for the past 5 years I have had lower back pain, neck pain and severe headaches. My Doctor increased my med's but that did not help. I was going to physical therapy for 5 years 2 times a week but that did not help the pain and my walking was getting worse. I also wasn't able to stand up straight. When I had my 6 month check-up in January 2008 with my Neurologist, we talked about getting a handicap sticker and possibly in 6 months to a year needing a walker. I left there thinking about what we talked about and decided I was not going to let Parkinson's Disease take over me. I went on a mission to find other alternatives and luckily I stumbled on something truly amazing that has been extremely helpful..

I found some research on core strengthening and the importance of core stabilizing drills. This led me to a brand new feedback technology which enhances many core strengthening exercise programs. I learned that this Core training product is being used by many professionals and that it is also being used with some of our returning veterans who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan to regain core strength as they learn to stand in their new prosthetic. This new technology has helped me regain my abdominal muscle control, increased my core stability, and I believe has even significantly increased my energy level. This new core exercise tool is called the “Ab-Inforcer Core Biofeedback Trainer”. It was developed, tested and manufactured by a woman owned company in Los Angeles. The inventor, Lee Brandon is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist who believes with all her heart that the secret to better functional movement is core strength, core stability and better postural awareness. She developed her exercise machine to help people train in better form by using the feedback the device provides. It uses sound, lights and vibration to help you feel if you are in the proper position or not. It’s sort of like having your own abdominal and core strength coach. The exercises that she instructed me on how to perform on the AB-Inforcer focus on three areas that seem to be very helpful to Parkinson's patients. First it focused me on using proper breathing muscles separated from a stronger and more stable core and low back, Secondly it taught me the importance of my head and neck position in relation to the rest of my body and spine and thirdly the exercises and the feedback provided by the machine provided me better postural awareness and postural muscles strengthening. I did not change my meds or add anything new into my regimen. I started working out with the Ab-Inforcer in May, 2008. 7 weeks later my back pain was gone and so were my headaches, 3 months later my legs are stronger and my posture is getting better. If you don't have good posture and you are leaning forward or your head is in the wrong position, then you won't have good balance and that is very important to have with Parkinson's Disease. I will not need that walker anymore. I know this technology is not a cure and that it might not help everyone, but it has given me a better quality of life back and I hope we can help others with PD to have the same chance.

They say that exercise is very important with a PD patient. I was doing certain exercises in physical therapy for years and it didn’t seem to help me much. I believe that the Ab-Inforcer’s lights and sound and vibration feedback has allowed me to train smarter and harder in much better form and I am convinced that this better form is part of the reason why I am doing so much better today. I feel that someone needs to tell other PD patients that this technology exists, that it works and that there are answers out there in addition to taking the meds.

I hope that sharing my story with you has helped you to understand why it is vital that everyone becomes aware of Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Please join me in promoting awareness and tolerance and letting people know that they can still have hope, especially as we near the month of April.

Ab-Inforcer Information Shared by Lee Brandon, C.S.C.S.

How the AB-Inforcer can help those with PD:

But now some individuals with PD are finding a way to move more easily that doesn't involve taking more drugs. Instead, they're doing AB-Inforcer® Core Biofeedback Trainer exercises.Developed by Lee Brandon, CSCS, these exercises focus on three areas that seem to be very helpful to Parkinson's patients - breathing and strengthening the "core muscles," addressing the spine as a system and providing postural awareness and postural strengthening. Breath "training" helps because many people with PD tend to breathe shallowly, which limits the amount of oxygen they can take in. Core exercises assist with postural awareness, which Parkinson's patients find difficult to maintain. Addressing the spine as a system while training the entire core is critical for postural improvements (We call this Spinal Triangulation™ ).AB-Inforcer® Core Biofeedback Trainer exercises use very controlled movements, and are based on the theory that it's more important to reinforce good motor patterns and avoid repetitive micro trauma and move correctly in good form with every exercise. Beginning progressions are gentle and simple; many are done lying down. The three sensors and biofeedback in the form of light, sound and vibration assist in promoting better form in each exercise, remove excessive momentum and distortion, and helps isolate out the use of the hip flexors which is a root of many postural distortions. This makes these core exercises ideal for rehabilitation, and in fact they're sometimes recommended for other conditions under a professionals care, like post spine surgery rehab, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and scoliosis.One of the biggest advantages of training on the AB-Inforcer®, though, is the flexibility of its routines. Exercises can be personalized to meet the individual needs of the people doing them clinically and at home for maintenance. Core exercises have been recommended for Parkinson's before. Those who use the AB-Inforcer’s new biofeedback training technology for their Core training have found it helped them become stronger, more flexible, and more balanced in a shorter amount of time.