Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and the benefits of exercise, a powerful combination!

DBS is an amazing devise that have mind boggling effects on the Parkinson’s patient! Unfortunately it is not a magic bullet, or a complete fix, it is however an amazing tool to help those of us with Parkinson live a more normal life with decreased symptoms.

I was fortunate to receive mine early on in my disease. My Neurologist, a Movement Specialist saw the potential for a positive outcome and suggested the procedure. It took about six months of testing before I was accepted as a candidate.

Before my DBS was installed, EXERCISE was my Parkinson’s “firewall”! In my case “Rock Steady Boxing!” (RSB) was the biggest factor slowing down the progression and symptoms. It was an invisible armor which is just as important now as it was then. The RSB program involves non-contact boxing while using a punching bag and practicing footwork, along with cognitive drills. It exercises the body and the mind. In addition, we do stretching and resistance exercises along with aerobic training.

As for as the non-contact boxing goes, there are many other exercise programs that help fight Parkinson’s. Biking, running, Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, dance, weight training are but a few — all have positive effects on PD symptoms. The important part is finding a program that interest you and sticking with it.

I have had a few folks ask why I was still at Boxing? They say I don’t show symptoms prominently. The simple answer is Parkinson’s will not give up its relentless progressive attack on my body. It will continue to attack me, and it won’t stop. We must continue with our fight against it. Even though we can’t overcome it, we can hold it off or slow down its progression.

During the 5 weeks of downtime for the DBS installation, I was limited on my exercising activities… and it showed!! It was even documented in an assessment! The lack of exercising was devastating on my body and my symptoms regressed to pre-medical intervention.

Six weeks later and in full routine, I am getting ahead of this disease once again. The benefits of exercise is proof. I am slowing down my symptoms and feeling GREAT!! DBS and exercise is the winning combination for me!!

Stanford Medicine has a good paper discussing the benefits of exercise for the Parkinson’s Patient here

I do my RSB therapy three times a week, for an hour and a half at time. In addition I walk a minimum of 3 to 4 miles every day prior to boxing. I have a large yard that keeps me active. Together it all keeps me focused with Parkinson’s in the “crosshairs”!

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.”

– Walter Elliot