Beating Parkinson's

YMCA class helps slow progress of the degenerative brain disease
By KRISTINE WALDEN - GM Today Staff	January 9, 2009

WEST BEND -
Bill Gehl wasn�t about to let a diagnosis of Parkinson�s disease stop from living life on his terms.

Before the slow onset of the disease began eight years ago, Gehl was an active outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and woodworking.

After observing an exercise class developed by Dr. Teresa M. Steffen at a Milwaukee-area YMCA, the 63-year-old Kewaskum resident asked if one could be offered locally.

"I thought it was a good idea to keep yourself going so you don�t get so stiff, so I suggested she should come up to West Bend," he said.

Using the researched techniques by Steffen, Anne Langenfeld Smith, a physical therapist with Aurora Health Care, physical therapist Beth Dieringer, YMCA personal trainer LuAnne Salmon and Tiffany Larson, an occupational therapist, began the class at YMCA�s Rivershores location in July.

"He�s really the one that helped us identify this as a possibility," said Langenfeld Smith.

For the first half of the hourlong class, the 12 participants work out on treadmills. The second half is spent stretching, with a focus on trunk mobility.

"We are trying to maintain or improve their quality of life and their strength and flexibility," Langenfeld Smith said. "With normal aging, you have muscle atrophy and stiff joints. With Parkinson�s, you have the added stiffness, weakness and lack of mobility. Research is showing that exercise can really slow the effects of Parkinson�s."

The treadmill work - walking both forward and backward - helps participants with muscle memory, said Salmon.

"With Parkinson�s, they tend to shuffle and stoop forward with their posture and freeze," Salmon said. "The treadmill�s continual motion, and the backwards motion, helps with the calves and keeping upright posture. With upright posture, they�re also less likely to fall as much."

The floor exercises help with stretching and balance. Facial muscles are also worked and vocal exercises help with speech.

The class, however, doesn�t just focus on the physical.

"Another great thing about the class is the social aspect," Salmon said. "They�re able to network with other people who are going through what they�re going through. It really helps with their confidence."

So far, Gehl said, the class has done wonders.

"It�s good to get out and go to class," said Gehl. "The benefits of exercise allows me to turn my head further, allowing me to check my blind spot more easily while driving. I also feel more confident with my walking and by balance has improved. It keeps me loose. The more I exercise, the more the symptoms go away. You can walk better, and you�re standing straight up and down now, not hunched over. It allows me to continue with my hobbies. I do woodworking - pens and bowls, a little bit of everything."

The other four class members have also had dramatic results.

"It�s night and day. We did a three-month follow-up and saw 300-percent improvement in some of the areas, with the most improved being gait (or walking) speed," Langenfeld Smith said.

Knowing that he had a part in making that happen means the world to Gehl.

"I�m glad it�s helping others, and I�m sure once the word gets around, there will be more," Gehl said.

At a glance What: Parkinson�s disease special exercise classes. For: For those individuals in all stages of the disease. Where: Kettle Moraine YMCA, Rivershores location on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Cost: $35 per month for YMCA members, $50 per month for community participants. The class is offered year-round and new participants can join at any time. Scholarships are available based on financial need. For more information, contact Beth Dieringer or Anne Langenfeld Smith, Aurora Health Care, at 306-6100. What is Parkinson�s disease? Parkinson�s disease is the second-most common disorder associated with degeneration of the brain. The disease is characterized by a a loss of brain chemical that assists in performing movements in a normal manner. There is no cure, only medications to help slow the progression of the disease. There is no x-ray or blood test to identify Parkinson�s disease. The disease is diagnosed by evaluation of symptoms by a physician. The four main symptoms are: - Tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face. - Rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk. - Slowness of movement. - Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.

This story appeared in The Daily News on January 9, 2009.