Physiotherapy and Parkinson's disease - dancing

Physiotherapy and Parkinson’s disease: dancing

It has been proven time and time again that exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle. And this applies also to people with Parkinson’s disease.

Paired with medication, regular movements can help improve both motor and non-motor symptoms. It is advised to start working with a physiotherapist with Parkinson’s expertise soon after the diagnosis. Together with the therapist, the person can find an exercise routine that works for them and their life with Parkinson’s. One of the aims of physiotherapy is to improve physical activity in order to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s.

One activity that improves fitness but also movement coordination and balance is dancing. The partnership between the person with Parkinson's disease and the therapist is important; with the person openly communicating about their daily life and their challenges helps the therapist to create the ideal dancing routine based on personalized and evidence-based techniques. Mariella Graziano has been a physiotherapist for Parkinson’s disease for 30 years. In the video below, she is showing one dance routine for Parkinson’s disease along with her tips and tricks!

For more information about exercise and Parkinson’s disease check our Exercise and Parkinson’s disease fact sheet in French and German.