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Yoga for Parkinson's Disease

What is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's Disease, or PD as it is often called, is a neurological condition that develops gradually over years, and is caused by a loss of dopamine. It is often misdiagnosed because until major symptoms appear it is difficult to be sure that an individual has it. It is possible to have PD but not know it because there is no standardized test.


It is often left undiagnosed until specific undeniable symptoms are discovered. Currently there is no test that can diagnose it, and those who get the disease must wait years before all the symptoms appear and they are finally diagnosed.

How can someone get Parkinson's Disease?

Part of the challenge with getting diagnosed is that there are a variety of different symptoms that can be associated with it. However, until the main symptoms are identified, individuals may suffer as well as being misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly.


Several risk factors that increase a person's chance to be affected by PD include:

  • Age and declining mitochondrial function

  • Genetic mutations that compromise mitochondrial or proteostatic function

  • Environmental toxins that target mitochondria

  • Inflammation (late stage?)

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There are several ways that individuals might get PD. In 10 to 15% of cases the cause has been identified as genetics. Using DNA, specific gene mutations can be broken down further and identify an increasingly broader range of variants. Science is slowly identifying a larger range of genes that can be impacted by PD.


There are also environmental factors that can increase the risk of getting PD. These can include:

  • Traumatic brain injury

  • Where someone lives

  • Occupation

  • Exposure to metals

  • Solvents and PCBs

  • Pesticides and herbicides

Effects of Parkinson’s Disease

PD has a long list of effects that severely impact the life of anyone who is diagnosed with it.

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The Main Movement symptoms of PD are:

  • limb rigidity

  • bradykinesia or slow movement

  • tremors and balance and gait problems

  • Additional symptoms can include; dizziness or fainting, drooling, facial masking, rigidity and stooped posture.

 

However, PD isn’t limited to just movement problems there are further non-movement symptoms that can also impact the lives of those affected.


Non Movement symptoms can include:

  • anxiety

  • apathy

  • breathing and respiratory difficulties

  • cognitive changes

  • dementia

  • depression

  • fatigue

  • hallucinations/delusions

  • loss of smell

  • pain

  • skeletal and bone health

  • skin changes

  • sleep disorders

  • small handwriting

  • speech and swallowing issues

  • urinary incontinence

  • vertigo and dizziness

  • vision changes

  • weight management

Our Services

1

Yoga for Parkinson's Disease

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2

Personal Yoga Classes

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3

Yoga Therapy

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