Best Exercises for Parkinson Disease

Why Are Facial Exercises Recommended in Parkinson's Disease?

There are many facial exercises for Parkinsons disease, as this condition leads to slow movements of muscles in the face, which results in the stiff facial expression and difficulties with speaking and swallowing. In essence, it is like a gym membership for your face without awkward mirror photos.

The Face-mask-wearing Problem

A person who is suffering from Parkinson's disease may observe a diminished range of facial expression called hypomimia. In this case, the smile will appear slower, while blinks will be less frequent. You may look serious even if you feel very happy thinking about dinner.

It was studied by scientists. Bologna and co. (2013) in the journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry published the article called "facial bradykinesia as another feature of Parkinson's". This study confirmed that slowed facial movements is a real feature of Parkinsonism. In another study by Tickle-Degnen and Lyons (2004, Social Science & Medicine), the masked face of Parkinson patients made people misunderstand how they felt. No one wants to appear grumpy when he or she is enthusiastic about biryani.

Why Do We Need to Exercise Our Faces?

In the area of facial muscles, there is a link between their development, speech production and swallowing process. So, keeping facial muscles toned may facilitate:

1. Better pronunciation
2. More natural language usage
3. The ability to chew and swallow comfortably.
4. Confidence in social situations

LSVT LOUD program, developed in the 1990s-2000s, is another evidence-based approach which can improve loudness of voice. It should be pointed out that some speech therapists complement it with facial exercises. At the same time, there are fewer studies focused on face rehabilitation only, so we should see it as an additional helpful habit.

Best Facial Exercises in Parkinson's

When people ask about best facial exercises for Parkinson's, therapists suggest these simple exercises:

1. Smile: Smile wide and hold it for five seconds, relax, repeat.
2. Eyebrow raises: Lift up both of your eyebrows like you've just heard something interesting.
3. Cheek puffs: Fill your cheeks with air and shift it from side to side.
4. Kiss the air, then smile.
5. Exaggerated chewing. Imagine the chewiest caramel in the world.

Exercises To Do at Home in Parkinson's

The good news is that there are some great home exercises that you can do in order to fight the effects of Parkinson's. Here is the simple routine you may want to try:

1. 1. Sit in front of the mirror with a cup of chai (for better morale).
2. 2. Perform each exercise from 8 to 10 times.
3. 3. Practice for 10 minutes, once or twice a day.
4. 4. Read some lines loudly and dramatically.

Stop doing it if you feel any pain and consult your therapist.

Habit Face Exercises Doing Nothing
Effort: 10 minutes	Reward: None (tempting!)
Mirror time	Yes, awkward but useful	Skipped
Flexibility	Supported	Possible stiffness increase
Funny faces	Mandatory	Optional

Exercise Works Alongside Treatment

Exercises are a team player, but not a substitute for medicines. Neurologists decide the most appropriate medications based on your symptoms, age and health, and levodopa-based medicines are usually prescribed first. Therapy and medications work best together.

Some families may consider using some of the methods of Ayurveda treatment for Parkinsons disease in order to supplement the current treatment. For instance, dietary changes, changes in lifestyle and herbs may be applied in order to treat this disease. However, it is essential to consult with your doctor prior to trying any of these methods, especially if you are currently undergoing any medication since you don't want anything to interfere with the current therapy.

Concluding Remarks

So, there are various habits that can improve expressive facial capabilities of people with Parkinson's. And facial exercises can become an affordable and easy tool for that. And since there are various ways to treat Parkinson's in alternative medicine, don't hesitate to ask your doctor and try them out.

Key Takeaways

1. Parkinson's can lead to the decrease of facial mimicry (hypomimia).
2. Facial exercises strengthen muscles which improves mobility, verbalization, and confidence.
3. Taking 10 minutes every day at home is a good start.
4. The research on the face exercises is still developing.
5. The effect of physical activity is only supplementary to medical treatment.

FAQs

Why Parkinson's disease makes the face blank?

Because of a slowed facial muscle, your facial expressions fade away even if you have many feelings.

How often should I do facial exercises?

Around 10 minutes, once or twice a day is a friendly place to start.

Can facial exercises cure Parkinson's?

No, they support daily functions but are not a cure.

Are these exercises safe for everyone?

Mostly gentle, but check with your doctor if you have pain or other conditions.

Disclaimer

This blog is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. Parkinson’s affects everyone differently. Please consult a qualified neurologist or healthcare professional like Dr. Puneet Dhawan before starting exercises, changing medications, or trying any complementary therapy.