5 home exercises for Parkinson's disease

With increasing age and wear and tear, the body and its natural processes weaken gradually. This raises the risk of a variety of chronic diseases such as Parkinson's. While medical attention is vital for this neurodegenerative disease, there are numerous ways to treat it at home, such as regular exercise.

Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that causes uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness and problems in balance and coordination. It is caused when the nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls movement become impaired or die, stated the National Institute on Aging. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, an estimated 1.1 million people in the US are living with Parkinson's disease, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's in the country. Exercising is an important tool that should be used in order to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Find 5 such exercises for Parkinson's disease that you can do at home.

Daily stretching exercises help relieve the stiffness in the muscles. Begin by lying on your back with your feet flat on the bed and your knees bent. Now let your knees fall gently from one side to another. According to a 2025 study published in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, stretching was found to improve motor symptoms and mobility in people with Parkinson's Disease.

Lifting weights while sitting on a chair or practising leg movements with resistance bands can be extremely helpful for people with Parkinson's disease. While this might be difficult in the beginning for people struggling with the disease, it has been proven to improve symptoms. 2012 research by the American Academy of Neurology, stated that two years of weight training improved motor symptoms of PD, more than stretching and balance exercises.

Stand with a chair behind you and raise your arms to the front. Slowly sit down until your back touches the chair and then stand up straight. Once comfortable, you can increase the intensity with lower chairs. These squats target the hips, thighs and legs and improve balance and coordination. According to a 2020 research published in Archives of Physiotherapy, people living with Parkinson's disease find it difficult to rise from a chair which is associated with low physical activity levels and independence. Thus, chair squats can be helpful in regaining that control.

Dance your heart out and it will truly help your Parkinson's. Every day pick your favourite tunes or hire a teacher to teach you at home or online. Dancing engages motor skills like balance and gait while also reducing depression and anxiety, found a 2010 study published in PubMed.

Over the years, yoga has been established as the go-to form of exercise for better health. The ancient practice helps stretch and strengthen the muscles along with improving control and balance. As per a 2023 research published in Annals of Medicine, yoga has been effective in improving motor symptoms, balance function and mood disturbances.

According to the Parkinson's Foundation, consistent exercise for at least 2.5 hours a week slows down the symptom progression of PD while improving physical and emotional well-being. Exercising is a vital part of the management of the disease and it helps maintain balance, mobility, flexibility and overall quality of life.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment and before changing your diet or supplement regimen.