parkinson's exercise options in toowoomba

Ideal for physical awareness, balance, strength, fine and gross motor skills, co-ordination ...

'No! You will never see us on Dancing with the Stars but we will dance the blues away!'

Helpful for improving volume, enunciation, breathing control ....

'We don't sing because we are happy; we are happy because we sing!'

PD  Warrior is an intensive exercise-based program designed to drive  neuroplastic change in people with Parkinson’s. The approach is designed to help people live with  Parkinson’s better by improving the way they move – either by increasing  their effort, amplitude, dual tasking or a combination of all three.   PD Warrior is recommended as an early intervention strategy but is still useful for   people who have  more significant mobility problems. 

Available in Toowoomba at the Fit Lab Allied Health.  Phone 46387645. 

Any person with a diagnosis of Parkinsonism can be referred to BlueCare for an assessment. The Parkinson’s Therapy Program is tailored to individual needs and is directed by Speech, Physiotherapy, Occupational, Exercise and Dietetic professionals to deliver holistic management. The Centre  offers individual and group information and exercise programs throughout the year. LSVT Voice and LSVT BIG qualified programs are also available.

Corner of Ramsay and Stenner Streets, Toowoomba.

 Phone:  1300258322 

While there is not a dedicated Parkinson's Boxing Group in Toowoomba, there are a number of groups which offer boxing classes and individualise their programs to suit clients.  It is the exercise that boxing requires that is what can be practised - NOT THE FIGHTING !  You might like to refer to this link. 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/47815268_Boxing_Training_for_Patients_With_Parkinson_Disease_A_Case_Series

There are a number of groups in Toowoomba offering Tai Chi.  There are also options of doing Tai Chi while seated.  Parkinson's Disease can cause postural instability.   

Tai Chi has many health benefits including improving balance, mobility, posture, confidence, fall risk awareness, concentration, coordination, relaxation and flexibility.

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Michael J Fox Foundation reported in 2015 that ' there are a few studies that support yoga for persons with PD.  This is clearly an area of research that is just starting to gain ground. What studies do exist suggest modest benefits for mobility, balance, strength, flexibility, mood and sleep'.  Yoga classes are available locally and there are also some with seated yoga options.

Toowoomba is not short of swimming pools, including heated pools.   The buoyancy of the water takes some body weight while a person is swimming.  When the body feels stiff, or painful joints are a problem doing other exercise options, then swimming can be an excellent way of increasing stamina. 

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Working out in the water gives People with Parkinson's the freedom to move without the fear of falling.  They can push against the resistance of the water and do weight-bearing exercise  without stressing joints. Toowoomba has a number of Water Aerobics classes available and these classes accommodate individual needs.  

People with mild to moderate Parkinson’s Disease who regularly walk for  exercise may improve their motor function, mood, tiredness, fitness and  some aspects of thinking abilities, according to a study published in  the July 2, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.  

You will find a large number of physiotherapy groups and individual physiotherapists in Toowoomba.  Among these some specialise in movement disorders.  Because Parkinson's Disease is a chronic disorder you will possibly be eligible for the Chronic Disease Management Allied Health Services Scheme. This requires a GP Management Plan and might assist you financially.  

Exercise Physiologists operate from private practice or within a gym.  In Toowoomba, there will be a number of these specialists who can design individualised programs and, with the knowledge that you have PD and after assessing your fitness, should provide an exercise regime that assists in improving strength, balance, co-ordination and flexibility.