Parkinsons therapy

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Parkinsons therapy - October 25, 2001 5:05:00 AM

hardtop

Posts: 1
Joined: October 23, 2001
From: montclair, VA, USA
Status: offline

I've been diagnosed w/ Young Parkinsons. I have a 'slight' tremor but that dosent bother me, what does, is my "rigid" hand muscles. I have difficulty writing and doing "fine" motor functions with my hand.

Any idea, where I might find 'exercises' or a 'stretch' program for poor hand/forearm muscles?

Thanks,
hardtop@military.com

Post #: 1

Re: Parkinsons therapy - October 25, 2001 7:55:00 AM

Hirsch

Posts: 43
Joined: October 16, 2000
From: Germany
Status: offline

Hardtop, you may want to get a second opinion on your young-onset PD first and the best thing is to go to a neurologist who sees many YOPD patients. After you get that...I would suggest an experimental treatment for your hand called forced-use or constraint induced movement therapy, whioch has primarily been used in patients after stroke but may also work for PD...this method involves restricting your good arm/hand in a sling and/or glove so you cannot use the good hand for fine motor activity and focing use of the more impaired hand in daily activities, especially fine motor activity. The sling must be worn 90% of the day and for 2 weeks for this to have a chance to work. I am going to include some links where you can get more information before you make a decision. These are listed below.
[URL=http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=Forced-use&hc=0&hs=0]http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=Forced-use&hc=0&hs=0[/URL]
[URL=http://www.rehabtrials.org/fa/fa_spage061300_p2.shtml]http://www.rehabtrials.org/fa/fa_spage061300_p2.shtml[/URL]
[URL=http://www.vard.org/jour/99/36/3/taub363.htm]http://www.vard.org/jour/99/36/3/taub363.htm[/URL]
[URL=http://www.stroke-info.com/cimt.htm]http://www.stroke-info.com/cimt.htm[/URL]
[URL=http://www.uab.edu/CITHERAPY/]http://www.uab.edu/CITHERAPY/[/URL]

I have been involved in PD rehab research for almost 10 years and this is actually something I want to look at experimentally and you would be the first YOPD person, to my knowledge. Let me know what you think of this idea or if you need more information. I'd be glad to help. Mark Hirsch

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hardtop:
I've been diagnosed w/ Young Parkinsons. I have a 'slight' tremor but that dosent bother me, what does, is my "rigid" hand muscles. I have difficulty writing and doing "fine" motor functions with my hand.

Any idea, where I might find 'exercises' or a 'stretch' program for poor hand/forearm muscles?

Thanks,
hardtop@military.com[/QUOTE]

------------------

(in reply to hardtop)

Post #: 2

Re: Parkinsons therapy - January 20, 2002 10:57:00 AM

barbarabanwell

Posts: 3
Joined: January 28, 2000
From: Haslett, MI , USA
Status: offline

I distribute 2 exercise videotapes for people with Parkinson's Disease--made in Canada by WaterArt with support from the Parkinson's Foundation there--one is a land program and the other an outstanding aquatic program--excellent for use at the home--or pool-with good instructions and music--contact me if you wish--

(in reply to hardtop)

Post #: 3

Re: Parkinsons therapy - October 28, 2002 5:39:00 AM

joseinus

Posts: 3
Joined: October 14, 2002
From: Villa Hills Kentucky
Status: offline

I would advice you to get a second opinion as writing difficulty is not the best signs of PD.have you noticed speech difficulties or decreased movement in any joints.If you just have writing difficulties it can be sasm of one particular muscle and that is common with writers cramp and that can be treated well with medicines and botox.
cheers,
Joe

(in reply to hardtop)

Post #: 4