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Physical Activity >
Lifestyle >
Psychology >

A new approach
for Parkinson’s!

Each of us experiences a degenerative condition called aging, but most 70-year-olds don’t feel limited by their reduced ability to do some things. With Parkinson’s, accepting and adapting to this reality is more difficult because you are less prepared to face it. However one must get used to it and, as with old age, accept the fact that we are constantly changing.

Health services in Europe are not always in our favor. The diagnosis is made, a pack of tablets is prescribed and an appointment is made for the following year. It is a poorly understood that being diagnosed is a massive psychological shock that affects the patient and his family. Questions are many, what will happen to me?, will I die? Fear enters our lives.

According to a famous study (Parkinson Outcomes Project), the first factors that destroy the quality of life of a person with Parkinson’s are apathy and depression. BOTH of which are emotions to having Parkinson’s, not Parkinson’s itself (although there is a link to dopamine levels).

Reduces symptoms
by 40%

Slow down
your progression

Improve your life and
that of your family

It is not only drugs that change the life
of a depressed person,
but all four elements are needed
AND have the same weight.

It is not surprising that over 50% of people with Parkinson’s are clinically depressed and that the vast majority try to shut themselves in instead of seeking help. The sad truth of Parkinson’s is bad information leads to broken marriages and the destruction of lives

It would be totally different if we were told clearly: “It is possible to reduce the symptoms by up to 40%; you can slow down your progression, and your life will become more precious if you make the right choices.”

Some are reluctant to admit they have Parkinson’s, almost as if they are afraid of being considered different or weaker. Yet even an athlete from the Paralympics is applauded for choosing to fight. Anyone who faces adversity with determination is stronger and to be admired!

Words like “Parkinson’s made me a better man” or “Parkinson’s was an opportunity” make little sense when diagnosed.

The emotional roller-coaster of Parkinson’s gets worse over time.

I often  meet families devastated by Parkinson’s, and week after week we explain that Parkinson’s can lead to a change that can strengthen them by giving them new opportunities. Parkinson’s does not have to destroy our life, but imposes limits to which we must adapt. After all it is we who make the decisions on how our lives change.

Our therapeutic approach is based on the concept of four key pillars to maintain a good quality of life. Medicines are naturally at the center, but a single-walled house will certainly not be able to hold the roof. It is not only drugs that change the life of a depressed person, but all four elements need to have the same weight.

If we want to learn a foreign language, one hour a week is not enough. Two weeks of full immersion would have a much higher impact. We would get even more by applying what we learned daily and speaking that language every day for the rest of our lives. It is the same for Parkinson’s.

Medicine is an essential, basic pillar for every person with Parkinson’s, but it is not a crutch.

Pharmacological treatment, as we mentioned earlier, is what makes us move and facilitates some aspects of Parkinson’s. A well-known British neurologist recently explained: “We know a lot about Parkinson’s, but we can’t know what it really is to have and live with Parkinson’s.” It is probably the reason why this neurologist is so exceptional. We have met many people who have visited more than ten neurologists and complain about not finding the right one, which can “solve” their problems. It is unrealistic that in a 20-minute appointment with a neurologist can solve all the problems related to Parkinson’s with a miraculous tablet. Medicine is an essential, basic pillar for every person with Parkinson’s, but it is not a crutch. Nor, arguably is it a medicine (we think of medicines as something that can cure us (antibiotic) yet there is not a single “medicine” for Parkinson’s that can  actually reverse and certainly not cure the condition (Disease modifying drugs are in the pipeline but it would be  a pipe dream to live in hope instead of living to the full)

The European Parkinson Therapy Center does not intervene in the pharmacological treatment of its customers. We does not change or prescribe new drugs during clients stays. In the event that it is requested, we provide customers with the names of Neurologists who collaborate with the Center and which could be helpful to customers. We believe the relationship between YOUR Neurologist and yourself is sacred and whilst we give advice about types of drugs wee will never come between you and your Neurologist

Back to top

The importance of physical activity is now known. Like taking pills, it is now scientifically accepted that it must be done every day to produce and maintain results (like medicine). Regularity is better than quantity. But what must we do to improve our condition with movement? Walking is a fundamental and essential aspect of daily life with Parkinson’s. It produces a neuro-protective effect. In short: it helps to slow down neuro-degeneration, which is good for everyone, but especially for those with Parkinson’s. This is the second of the four pillars of ReGen therapy and is the one we focus on the most.

Tango therapy, going to the gym and physiotherapy are often mentioned, but in reality, if not done, designed around your needs and done correctly every day, they have limited effect.

Studies show that physiotherapy must be combined with conscious thinking: “Think before you move.” This point is often forgotten and is based on the concept of neuro-plasticity. If you break a leg, you can rehabilitate it, but for people with Parkinson’s the problem is different: physiotherapy must be combined with conscious thinking (“Neurotherapy”). Physiotherapy itself is not effective in Parkinson’s. If we think about correcting our posture, increasing the length of the step and the movement of the arm, and then consciously continue to do it, we will find that in a short period of time the brain will adapt to this new normal and that movement will become automatic. The choice is OURS

Group therapies are also popular, but everyone is different and everyone’s Parkinson’s is different. Take four chefs and give them the same ten ingredients: you will end up with four different dishes. If you really want to reduce your symptoms, you need to work individually with a specialist to determine, correct and learn how to continue this improvement at home.

Shopping, walking rather than using the car, gardening, or any daily activity is important and useful for staying active. Not wanting to do something or losing interest are signs that the lifestyle and the approach with which you deal with everyday life can be wrong. Try to do what you like, or even better cultivate a passion.

We know that if we do not use our mental and physical abilities progressively they  will fail and  we lose them.

Back to top

Lifestyle is perhaps the least understood aspect, and therefore the one faced with the most difficulties between the four pillars. In addition to well-known points such as the importance of a healthy diet and stress prevention, it is essential to understand that we MUST choose how to live our life. We CAN choose to be apathetic and negative, or we CAN choose to take control. We CAN choose to delegate our quality of life to a neurologist or our spouses, or we CAN choose to focus on what we like to do and  become the protagonist. Choosing to keep doing everything at the same speed as before is not a wise decision. Living at the same pace as before (full speed) is like driving a fast car, but with an engine that is slowly losing power: at some point it will break.

Life changes, but who says we can’t decide how it should change? If we choose to do less, but do more of what we like more often, then the quality of our life will be maintained, if not better. We confuse quantity with quality of life.

Back to top

Understanding the truth about Parkinson’s makes us stronger, as well as realizing that we can influence its progression and symptoms. It is much more difficult to fight a war in which we do not believe or whose strategy we do not understand. Only if we accept and understand this can we be motivated, and this will only be effective if we combine what we have to do with what we like. We cannot remain motivated if we continue to do what we must without having any reward. Dopamine is released into our brain when we do something pleasant; for example we will be more inclined to take a long and healthy walk if we have a reward like a stop in an ice cream shop or at the favourite bar.

These three phases lead to real action, in which we believe and which we are able to support. Too many people talk about what they have to do, without having accepted, understood and decided to do it in reality.

If one of these four pillars collapses, it can bring down the others. That’s why apathy and depression are so destructive. If we stop caring, doing exercises and stop living. We only have the medicines – let’s go back to the starting point – and worse, we get into what an excellent neurologist has called “apathy vortex”. The vortex pulls us down, eliminates neuro-protection and neuro-plasticity, and destroys people with Parkinson’s and the lives of those around them.

Thinking only about one’s life before Parkinson’s, instead of dedicating oneself to everything that has not yet been done is the origin of depression. Looking at the future you may experience fear and anxiety: “Where will I be in ten years? What does the future hold? “Who know” but YOU can change the future!

The truth is that neither looking forward or backward is relevant: the important thing is today! We need to focus on managing and making the most of every day: looking at the fun side, learning the truth and living a full life with Parkinson’s.

Back to top

Info Utili per te

Drugs >
Physical Activity >
Lifestyle >
Psychology >

A new approach
for Parkinson’s!

Each of us experiences a degenerative condition called aging, but most 70-year-olds don’t feel limited by their reduced ability to do some things. With Parkinson’s, accepting and adapting to this reality is more difficult because you are less prepared to face it. However one must get used to it and, as with old age, accept the fact that we are constantly changing.

Health services in Europe are not always in our favor. The diagnosis is made, a pack of tablets is prescribed and an appointment is made for the following year. It is a poorly understood that being diagnosed is a massive psychological shock that affects the patient and his family. Questions are many, what will happen to me?, will I die? Fear enters our lives.

According to a famous study (Parkinson Outcomes Project), the first factors that destroy the quality of life of a person with Parkinson’s are apathy and depression. BOTH of which are emotions to having Parkinson’s, not Parkinson’s itself (although there is a link to dopamine levels).

Reduces symptoms
by 40%

Slow down
your progression

Improve your life and
that of your family

It is not only drugs that change the life
of a depressed person,
but all four elements are needed
AND have the same weight.

It is not surprising that over 50% of people with Parkinson’s are clinically depressed and that the vast majority try to shut themselves in instead of seeking help. The sad truth of Parkinson’s is bad information leads to broken marriages and the destruction of lives

It would be totally different if we were told clearly: “It is possible to reduce the symptoms by up to 40%; you can slow down your progression, and your life will become more precious if you make the right choices.”

Some are reluctant to admit they have Parkinson’s, almost as if they are afraid of being considered different or weaker. Yet even an athlete from the Paralympics is applauded for choosing to fight. Anyone who faces adversity with determination is stronger and to be admired!

Words like “Parkinson’s made me a better man” or “Parkinson’s was an opportunity” make little sense when diagnosed.

The emotional roller-coaster of Parkinson’s gets worse over time.

I often  meet families devastated by Parkinson’s, and week after week we explain that Parkinson’s can lead to a change that can strengthen them by giving them new opportunities. Parkinson’s does not have to destroy our life, but imposes limits to which we must adapt. After all it is we who make the decisions on how our lives change.

Our therapeutic approach is based on the concept of four key pillars to maintain a good quality of life. Medicines are naturally at the center, but a single-walled house will certainly not be able to hold the roof. It is not only drugs that change the life of a depressed person, but all four elements need to have the same weight.

If we want to learn a foreign language, one hour a week is not enough. Two weeks of full immersion would have a much higher impact. We would get even more by applying what we learned daily and speaking that language every day for the rest of our lives. It is the same for Parkinson’s.

Medicine is an essential, basic pillar for every person with Parkinson’s, but it is not a crutch.

Pharmacological treatment, as we mentioned earlier, is what makes us move and facilitates some aspects of Parkinson’s. A well-known British neurologist recently explained: “We know a lot about Parkinson’s, but we can’t know what it really is to have and live with Parkinson’s.” It is probably the reason why this neurologist is so exceptional. We have met many people who have visited more than ten neurologists and complain about not finding the right one, which can “solve” their problems. It is unrealistic that in a 20-minute appointment with a neurologist can solve all the problems related to Parkinson’s with a miraculous tablet. Medicine is an essential, basic pillar for every person with Parkinson’s, but it is not a crutch. Nor, arguably is it a medicine (we think of medicines as something that can cure us (antibiotic) yet there is not a single “medicine” for Parkinson’s that can  actually reverse and certainly not cure the condition (Disease modifying drugs are in the pipeline but it would be  a pipe dream to live in hope instead of living to the full)

The European Parkinson Therapy Center does not intervene in the pharmacological treatment of its customers. We does not change or prescribe new drugs during clients stays. In the event that it is requested, we provide customers with the names of Neurologists who collaborate with the Center and which could be helpful to customers. We believe the relationship between YOUR Neurologist and yourself is sacred and whilst we give advice about types of drugs wee will never come between you and your Neurologist

Back to top

The importance of physical activity is now known. Like taking pills, it is now scientifically accepted that it must be done every day to produce and maintain results (like medicine). Regularity is better than quantity. But what must we do to improve our condition with movement? Walking is a fundamental and essential aspect of daily life with Parkinson’s. It produces a neuro-protective effect. In short: it helps to slow down neuro-degeneration, which is good for everyone, but especially for those with Parkinson’s. This is the second of the four pillars of ReGen therapy and is the one we focus on the most.

Tango therapy, going to the gym and physiotherapy are often mentioned, but in reality, if not done, designed around your needs and done correctly every day, they have limited effect.

Studies show that physiotherapy must be combined with conscious thinking: “Think before you move.” This point is often forgotten and is based on the concept of neuro-plasticity. If you break a leg, you can rehabilitate it, but for people with Parkinson’s the problem is different: physiotherapy must be combined with conscious thinking (“Neurotherapy”). Physiotherapy itself is not effective in Parkinson’s. If we think about correcting our posture, increasing the length of the step and the movement of the arm, and then consciously continue to do it, we will find that in a short period of time the brain will adapt to this new normal and that movement will become automatic. The choice is OURS

Group therapies are also popular, but everyone is different and everyone’s Parkinson’s is different. Take four chefs and give them the same ten ingredients: you will end up with four different dishes. If you really want to reduce your symptoms, you need to work individually with a specialist to determine, correct and learn how to continue this improvement at home.

Shopping, walking rather than using the car, gardening, or any daily activity is important and useful for staying active. Not wanting to do something or losing interest are signs that the lifestyle and the approach with which you deal with everyday life can be wrong. Try to do what you like, or even better cultivate a passion.

We know that if we do not use our mental and physical abilities progressively they  will fail and  we lose them.

Back to top

Lifestyle is perhaps the least understood aspect, and therefore the one faced with the most difficulties between the four pillars. In addition to well-known points such as the importance of a healthy diet and stress prevention, it is essential to understand that we MUST choose how to live our life. We CAN choose to be apathetic and negative, or we CAN choose to take control. We CAN choose to delegate our quality of life to a neurologist or our spouses, or we CAN choose to focus on what we like to do and  become the protagonist. Choosing to keep doing everything at the same speed as before is not a wise decision. Living at the same pace as before (full speed) is like driving a fast car, but with an engine that is slowly losing power: at some point it will break.

Life changes, but who says we can’t decide how it should change? If we choose to do less, but do more of what we like more often, then the quality of our life will be maintained, if not better. We confuse quantity with quality of life.

Back to top

Understanding the truth about Parkinson’s makes us stronger, as well as realizing that we can influence its progression and symptoms. It is much more difficult to fight a war in which we do not believe or whose strategy we do not understand. Only if we accept and understand this can we be motivated, and this will only be effective if we combine what we have to do with what we like. We cannot remain motivated if we continue to do what we must without having any reward. Dopamine is released into our brain when we do something pleasant; for example we will be more inclined to take a long and healthy walk if we have a reward like a stop in an ice cream shop or at the favourite bar.

These three phases lead to real action, in which we believe and which we are able to support. Too many people talk about what they have to do, without having accepted, understood and decided to do it in reality.

If one of these four pillars collapses, it can bring down the others. That’s why apathy and depression are so destructive. If we stop caring, doing exercises and stop living. We only have the medicines – let’s go back to the starting point – and worse, we get into what an excellent neurologist has called “apathy vortex”. The vortex pulls us down, eliminates neuro-protection and neuro-plasticity, and destroys people with Parkinson’s and the lives of those around them.

Thinking only about one’s life before Parkinson’s, instead of dedicating oneself to everything that has not yet been done is the origin of depression. Looking at the future you may experience fear and anxiety: “Where will I be in ten years? What does the future hold? “Who know” but YOU can change the future!

The truth is that neither looking forward or backward is relevant: the important thing is today! We need to focus on managing and making the most of every day: looking at the fun side, learning the truth and living a full life with Parkinson’s.

Back to top

Info Utili per te