Parkinson's and Multiple Sclerosis

As part of my role as a teacher, I work in clinic very closely with suffers of Parkinson's.

What happens with this condition is the brain cells that receive the neurotransmitter dopamine are damaged so they have trouble with their gait, with their balance, with their speech.

Pilate's has been found to increase not only the dopamine to the brain but their sense of balance and control.

I also work with clients who are suffers of multiple sclerosis.

This conditions can be very complex, and have many symptoms.

Symptoms can include fatigue, vision problems, difficulties with walking,

pain, muscle weakness, partial paralysis, vertigo and balance problems, sleep disturbances, temperature intolerance, bladder problems, muscle tightness and memory problems.

There are lots of options for treating and managing these conditions.

They include drug treatments, physiotherapy, diet and alternative therapies.

Exercise used to be discouraged for MS patients but recent studies are showing that exercise is neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory.

Many of my MS clients feel better after their Pilates workouts and enjoy the challenge and intensity of an Intermediate - Advanced level classes.

In Pilates, you learn how to move correctly, with the right muscles, firing at the right time. This helps prevent fatigue (an extremely common symptom of both these conditions) because you aren’t using more muscles than necessary. And, if the nerves aren’t sending a muscle the message, you can still work the surrounding muscles. You’d be amazed at what you can accomplish by strengthening muscles other than the ones that aren’t working correctly.

Pilates encourages a balanced development of the body through strength, flexibility and mobility. The exercises are safe and progressive and can be modified to any level of ability. Pilates is focused on slow controlled movement - there are no impact or high energy movements, technique and precision are more important than lots of repetitions.

The primary symptoms of Parkinson's that may be helped by Pilates are slowness of movement, stiffness, pelvic floor / bladder control and the loss of balance and posture. The emphasis on the deep core muscles which support your spine will assist with balance and strengthen your pelvic floor to help with bladder control and we encourage you to increase your range of movement and ease stiffness through stretching.

Balance, co-ordination and motor control are vital to perform everyday activities such as walking and picking things up. Our aim within our classes is to work on functional movement to help you live as comfortably and as easily as you can.

The most important lesson anyone can learn is about their health is to listen to what your body needs. If you choose to take up any of my classes, you’ll know “easy” isn’t my thing.) My classes will challenge you mentally and physically but the rewards will be noticible within a short period of time

If you are interested in attending a class for Parkinson's or organising a class in your local area, please email Candice.