Workout helps ease the pain of Parkinson's

by Joe Fitzgibbon, Special to The Oregonian
Thursday October 09, 2008, 3:00 AM

SHERWOOD -- Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox and former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno

Brent Wojahn/The OregonianKelly Johnson (left) helps Vera Darling of Beaverton with individualized exercise on a stationary bike during the Sherwood YMCA's Parkinson's Exercise class.

are the high-profile names. Kathy Grunwald, Greg South and Ron Beamer are less well known.

All are seeking relief from the muscle- and nerve-crippling effects of Parkinson's disease, with no known cure.

Nancy Nelson and Kelly Johnson of the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA want to help.

Two years ago, Nelson, director of Health and Wellness, and Johnson, a personal trainer, began offering a gentle workout called Parkinson's Exercise.

Four people showed up at the first session. Within weeks, a dozen men and women with the neurological disease joined them. Today, the number has nearly doubled.

Those with Parkinson's say they come because their joints ache or their hands shake uncontrollably. They've lost the rhythm in their step or the fluency of their speech. They need to talk with others who understand their anxieties.

"You spend time exercising with the people here, and you're bound to leave with a smile," said Grunwald, 63, of Tualatin. "If you're having a bad day -- and we have lots of them -- someone here will pick you up."

The group meets three times a week at the Sherwood YMCA.

After about 15 minutes of socializing, blood pressure checks and warmup exercises, participants pick up the pace on stationary bicycles and treadmills or the indoor track.

"I'm not much of a self-starter and really enjoy the enthusiasm of exercising with others," laughed Beamer, 61, of Beaverton, a former avid bicyclist. "We all know the meaning of 'use it or lose it.' "

Nelson and Johnson circulate, assisting class members with the equipment -- improving techniques and bad posture here, offering encouragement there.

"As the disease progresses, some of them find that it becomes harder and harder to maintain their balance or struggle to keep their heads up and bodies straight," Nelson said. "With even a little encouragement, they'll push themselves as much as they can. It is really quite inspiring."

For the last 30 minutes of each session, the men and women gather in a small, mirrored dance studio for a series of low-impact voice- and facial-expression exercises and yoga-like stretching.

A year ago, South, 64, of Portland refused to admit to himself that he needed help. "I had some minor tremors and was in denial," he said.

After checking out the Y class, "I couldn't believe how hard everyone was working and how courageous they were," he said. "I thought I'd give it a try, and I've been coming ever since."

An estimated 25,000 men and women in Oregon -- most in their 50s, 60s and 70s -- have been diagnosed with Parkinson's. The slowly debilitating disease often causes side effects such as tremors, muscle stiffness, speech impediments and balance problems. These, in turn, can lead to depression and anxiety.

Drugs help control the symptoms but research shows a strong relationship between gentle exercise and improved flexibility, endurance and mood.

"It was trial and error for us at first, but then we started attending seminars and talking with experts in the field," Johnson said. "One of the best parts of each class is watching the way everyone works together."

Nelson, who calls the 90-minute workouts the highlight of her day, said she loves the positive energy that comes from the group. Still, she'd like to do more.

"We know there are people out there who would benefit from the classes but aren't sure it's for them," Nelson said. "So we're saying to come in and give it a try. If a few more join us, we'd like to offer a second or third tier to address a wider range of abilities."

-- Joe Fitzgibbon;
If you go

What: Parkinson's Exercise

When: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Where: Sherwood Regional Family YMCA, 23000 S.W.Pacific Hwy.

How it works: After medical release from health care provider, ambulatory men and women with Parkinson's disease work on individual and group exercises to improve alance, flexibility and muscular control. Participants enjoy social events and support groups to manage mood swings.