GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Wood) — Patients, families and friends gathered at the University of Michigan Health West on Tuesday to mark World Parkinson’s Day.
Called the “Sit and Stand Challenge and Exercise Class,” the event encouraged sick people to stay active and improve their stability and balance.
Tina Ruben, a physical therapist at the University of Michigan Health West, says the exercise helps boost dopamine, which is deficient in people with Parkinson’s disease.
“Sitting and standing is one of the hardest things for a Parkinson’s patient to do, and it’s good exercise. That’s what we do all the time,” Ruben told News8.
Parkinson’s disease causes “uncontrollable movements such as tremors, stiffness, difficulty with balance and coordination.” National Institute on AgingBrain disorders are usually found in people over the age of 60, but Reuben says more patients are diagnosed before the age of 50, and symptoms vary from person to person.
“If you’ve seen one Parkinson’s patient, you’ve seen one Parkinson’s patient. Everyone has a very unique way of presenting,” Ruben said.
She added that the hospital system has exercise classes every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., one-on-one treatment with patients, and support groups for those affected.
