PD Warrior does battle with Parkinson’s disease
Neurologists and other health professional are calling PD Warrior a game-changer in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
PD Warrior is a unique therapy approach designed to help build confidence, improve mobility and help people fight the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
The vision of PD Warrior is to completely change the neurological landscape and the way in which Parkinson’s can be managed. PD Warrior offers hope that there is life after diagnosis.
It is not the same as going to the gym or going for a swim. Although these activities are great exercise behaviours, and good for your health, they may not be effective in helping to fight the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
PD Warrior helps to use the brain’s natural ability to protect itself and create more efficient pathways in the brain.
Muscle People Physiotherapy is accredited to run PD Warrior in Christchurch. Clare Brandrick and Laurie Moore, experienced physiotherapists who are trained in PD Warrior, take delight in patients’ progress and many participants have been referred by others to the programme.
According to Moore, recent literature pertaining to Parkinson’s disease suggests exercise is essential in providing a comprehensive solution for patients with the condition.
‘‘Traditionally, exercise has been prescribed for Parkinson’s disease when it has been associated with falls. However, this has failed to prevent the number of falls or slow the progression of symptoms,’’ she says.
‘‘Recent evidence has shown that better results are possible by treating people early after diagnosis with intensive, amplitude-based and multitasking training strategies.
‘‘The results from exercise programmes such as these show an improvement in quality of life and self-efficacy, depression, fatigue and bodily discomfort. Their improvement compared favourably to that of patients taking medication alone.’’
Marie Graham has been participating in the PD Warrior exercise programme since it started at Muscle People in March, 2014.
Since coming to PD Warrior, she says she feels more in control of her symptoms and uses the exercises alongside her medication to keep the progression of her symptoms at bay.
She enjoys the weekly exercises and finds the activities a challenge. She finds there are benefits in other aspects of her life. For instance, she no longer has to stop for a break during her aqua-jogging class.
Muscle People Physiotherapy has two clinics – Bishopdale Clinic, YMCA Building, 13A Bishopdale Court, 03 360 3606, and City Clinic, YMCA Building, 12 Hereford St, 03 961 0236.