April 11th is World Parkinson’s Day and here at Southside 
Physiotherapy we will be running a 10 Week Challenge
leading up to this date to help fight this disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder whereby there is a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This can lead to a range of symptoms including tremor, slowness, rigidity and impacted balance and gait.
At Southside Physiotherapy we offer the “PD Warrior” program, which is an evidence-based exercise program designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease. Research has found that specific exercise plays a neuroprotective role; that is that exercise can rewire the brain and slow the progression of Parkinson’s!
There are a few core principles to drive this “rewiring” of the brain:
1. Specificity: an exercise program tailored to the individual
2. High effort: working at a high intensity is necessary to increase overall cortical drive in the brain
3. Frequency: the neuronal pathways require stimulation every day to rewire the brain
4. Power: high amplitude or big movements “recalibrates” the body’s movements which can translate to everyday activities
5. Complexity: when extra attention, planning, processing of information and/or multitasking is required it helps grow new neurons that become part of a more efficient brain network.
Exercise benefits the brain in many ways:
- it increases blood flow to the brain which helps brain cells get the oxygen and nutrients needed to stay healthy
- it increases expression of growth factors that strengthen brain connections
- exercise can make the brain use dopamine more effectively
Commencing Tuesday 29th January 2019, Southside Physiotherapy will be starting the PD Warrior 10 Week Challenge, which requires you to perform PD Warrior exercises every day for 10 weeks. This incorporates the above mentioned principles to drive change! The completion of the challenge will culminate on World Parkinson’s Day.
Join us for the challenge to #UniteForParkinsons!