New Diagnosis Workshop: Living Well with Parkinson's Disease (2022)

Neurophysiotherapist Michelle McCarthy highlighted the benefits of exercise for individuals with Parkinson's disease, including improved physical fitness, balance, coordination, and mood, in this webinar. She recommended various exercise options and stressed the need for at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise per week, along with muscle strengthening activities. She mentioned online resources for tailored exercise programs and the value of building a care team and incorporating lifestyle modifications and relaxation techniques.

The webinar also discussed various aspects of Parkinson's disease, including the importance of consulting a doctor for symptom investigation and diagnosis, the experimental nature of stem cell treatment, the distinction between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and the ongoing efforts to increase access to Deep Brain Stimulation surgeries. It also highlighted the need for physician referrals to see a neurologist and provided recommendations for managing Parkinson's, such as balance assessments, fatigue management, and alternative therapies.

Additionally, topics like support groups, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and exercise for depression and anxiety in Parkinson's patients were covered. The talk mentioned the importance of psychiatric referrals for severe mood issues and touched on various aspects of Parkinson's management, including neck pain, non-drug approaches, sexual dysfunction, alternative treatments, focused ultrasound, alcohol's effects, the link between tremor-dominant Parkinson's and dementia, and the use of Botox injections for drooling and dystonia.

View the video slides accompanying this presentation by clicking here.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**