Review by for Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving
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My mother-in-law was diagnosed recently with Parkinson’s. I immediately came to Amazon to print out some book info for her. I confess this was not my first choice, but boy was I wrong. She chose this, and when it arrived I sat down for a quick read before I forwarded it to her. John Argue’s book developed out of years of work in the theatre as well as with people who have Parkinson’s. He has set out the exercise program he devised in a clear progression, with easy-to-follow descriptions in words and illustrations. Argue does not take an authoritarian tone but reminds us gently of sensible points about exercise for body and mind together; he is inspiring, and -perhaps best of all- wryly amusing too. I wish we could clone John Argue and bring him to Australia. My m-i-l went straight to the index and found an exercise that helped her with her swallowing, and is now working her way through from the beginning. Not all of the exercises are imperative for her at this stage, but she knows she can use them to help her move through the rest of her life with grace and humour. Thanks to John Argue.

Review by thomas piotrowski for Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving
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This book is a valuable tool for every P.D. patient. The doctors never tell us what specific exercises to do to prevent the progress of our disease. This books clearly illustrates with photographs how to do exercises for every need. The directions are clear and precise. What is most appealing is the underlying philosophy of graceful, mindful, and complete. Every exercise is a meditation of sorts that requires the patient to focus. Argue, the author, presents a program that offers hope of preventing progression of sysmptoms, but more importantly, he also offers hope for those already afflicted. It is possible to reverse or alleviate some symtoms to a degree. The book gives the patient some control and also offers an opportunity to fight back. Don’t just read it. Do it.

Review by Elise Miller for Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving
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After reading previous reviews I confidently shipped this book directly to my dad. He was three-quarters through the book in less than 24 hours, usually books just sit unread indefinitely on his desk. He said this was the first book out of many that clearly explained the symptoms, the disease and a positive approach. It is a beautiful book and a worthwile read. Thank you Amazon for packaging/shipping the book beautifully and promptly.

Review by Sylvia Stengle for Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving
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Doing the exercises in this book has helped my husband, who has Parkinson’s, to improve his balance and strength. Before he was falling; now he’s not. John Argue has also made tapes, a series of ten 20-minutes tapes with a class of Parkinsonians demonstrating the exercises which are extremely helpful and which can be bought directly from him; contact information for obtaining the tapes is in the book.

Review by B. Baser for Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving
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John Argue’s method is one that will definitely benefit any Parkinson’s sufferer and their caregivers. I also highly recommend the DVDs. The only thing better is to see John in person!

Barbara Baser, Coordinator Information and Referral Center

American Parkinson Disease Association, Pittsburgh, PA

I suggest that you use the web to read a variety of articles. You will find yourself referring to Wikipedia for definitions.

You will not find a definitive book because there are so many variables. And you really have to be aware that many suggestions are sometime contraindicated. I have been surprised at some suggestions because physics intrudes with an equal and opposite reaction.

I suggest that you begin by looking at CoQ10 1200 mg daily.
Glutathione is another powerful antioxidant. But it is not effective inthe tablet or capsule form. There is a patch available and there is also sublingual gluathione. It should contain NAC and be accompanied by Milk Thistle.

Not knowing your husband’s symptoms, I am going to suggest general PD exercises including vocal exercises to assist swallowing, voice quality and oxygen intake.

Check this website for a number of these topics in brief and feel free to comment and ask questions in the comment sections.

http://parkinsonsfocustoday.blogspot.com/

You will also find interesting articles about the Butykeo method of breathing which are aimed at Asthma patients but are suitable for PD as well. This is a method dealing with the breathing pattern, the respiration and inspiration rate aand rhythm. It is designed to avoid hidden hyperventilation based on a CO2 theory.

There is also physical therapy, swim therapy, dance (yes-do the tango) therapy, massage therapy all designed to loosen those tightening muscles, assist in regaining strength, regaining balance by walking differently.

You should check with your doctor as some therapies can be covered by your medical coverage.

Some people are helped by diet adjustments. This can be quite simple or quite complicated depending upon the present diet.

http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/park.htm

You can also join Patient’s Like Me which is a good forum for asking these questions and getting lots of answers; for tracking the disease, for reading about real side effects which real people are experiencing. You can both join: your husband as a patient and you as a caregiver. It will give you access. The site has become a bit more difficult to use but it now is around 3,000 members.

http://www.patientslikeme.com/

There several good web sites with suggestions for alternative therapies.
You will want to read about accupuncture as well.

Please feel free to email me if you have more questions.

Best wishes. PD is a difficult journey for both patients and caregivers but it can be made easier with a good plan of action and monitoring. Even your neurologist may have alternative therapy suggestions. You wouldn’t have asked your question if the pills were all you wanted for quality and quantity of life.

Addendum: there is one book which is a must read for PD exercise: “Parkinson’s Disease & the Art of Moving” by John Argue
http://www.amazon.com/Parkinsons-Disease-Moving-John-Argue/dp/1572241837
These exercises are meant to be done with two people – one to read, guide and assist and the patient.

They may not retrain the brain – neoplasticity – in the same way the the two gait retrainers, relatively new on the market, can do but it is an economical way of adjusting stance, walk, voice to “increase flexibility, strength, nalance and coordination, improve communication, voice power and speech clrity, delay the progression of symptoms”

Another addendum:
Check this web site – it is a quick read with many good suggestions:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33326.asp
Check out zinc ascorbates – may be important.

interesting bike