NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY AND EXERCISE
Neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and acquired brain injuries, affect thousands of Australians and can impact movement, coordination, balance, strength, and daily function.
These conditions often lead to reduced independence, fatigue, and challenges with everyday activities. Exercise Physiology has been shown to significantly improve quality of life for people living with neurological conditions. Through tailored, evidence-based programs, Exercise Physiologists help manage symptoms, maintain mobility, improve strength and endurance, and build confidence with safe movement.
Programs are designed to support long-term function, participation in daily life, and overall wellbeing, empowering individuals to stay active, independent, and engaged despite the challenges of neurological conditions.
DEMENTIA AND EXERCISE
Dementia is a chronic neuromuscular condition that leads to a decline in cognitive abilities, affecting memory, thinking, and behaviour. While there is no known cure for dementia, studies have shown that exercise can significantly help reduce its symptoms.
Regular exercise has been found to improve cognitive function, increase brain blood flow, and enhance nerve cell growth, which all help to slow down the progression of dementia. Exercise also helps in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which can cause or worsen dementia.
Engaging in physical activities can also improve mood and reduce depression, which is common among individuals with dementia. With the guidance of an accredited exercise physiologist, patients with dementia can benefit from a tailored exercise program that can help manage the condition and improve their overall quality of life. The exercise physiologists at Full Circle Wellness can help design an exercise program specifically suited to your age and lifestyle.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND EXERCISE
This is one of the most severe neuromuscular health conditions. It’s a progressive nervous system disorder that affects the movement of the persons affected. The condition develops gradually, and it’s difficult to notice during its early stages. A tremor in one’s hand can be an early sign of the condition. In some cases, the disease can cause stiffness in the arms and legs, poor balance and lack of coordination, and slowness of movement. If you realise that your speech is becoming soft and slurred or your hands are not swinging as you walk, then these could be signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused by the death and damage of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination. These are nerve cells that are responsible for dopamine, a chemical that acts as the messenger between parts of the brain and the nervous system. When these cells die or become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the body is slowly reduced. With reduced dopamine, the brain is unable to control and coordinate movement. This is when the patient starts experiencing slow and abnormal movement. Other factors that can trigger the development of PD include cerebrovascular diseases, environmental triggers, medication, or other progressive brain conditions.
Parkinson’s disease affects people of all ages and can manifest itself at any stage of life. In most cases, the disease is common with elders even though it comes to light often during the final stages of progression. The condition is common with sportsmen such as boxers and football players due to their exposure to head injuries. For those who have inherited the condition, it’s likely to manifest itself in the early stages of their development. What makes the disease hard to deal with is the fact that there is no specific test to diagnose it. Parkinson’s can only be diagnosed based on medical history, symptoms, and physical or neurological examination.
Currently, there is no scientifically proven cure for PD, but it can be managed successfully through physical exercises. Regular physical activity can improve motor symptoms, balance, and gait, as well as reduce the risk of falls. Additionally, exercise has been shown to improve non-motor symptoms such as depression and cognitive impairment. Our exercise physiology team have experience working with individuals with Parkinson's disease. We can develop a tailored exercise program that takes into account your individual needs, preferences, and abilities. With the guidance of our exercise physiologists, you can improve your quality of life and better manage your Parkinson's symptoms.