Parkinson's and Walking to a Rhythmic Beat
There was a tiny article in the Daily Telegraph of 26th Sept entitled "Parkinson's hope". Couldn't find a link but here's the text verbatum ...
"Walking to a rhythmic beat could help treat Parkinson's disease, a study shows. Patients with the condition can suffer from tremors and difficulty walking. The study by the University of Pittsburgh found that healthy people who walked to audible cues from a metronome were better able to stay upright and walk "normally", reports PLoS One. Prof Ervin Sejdic said he believed this could have implications for Parkinson's patients."
With my Chi Running clients I use metronomes all the time. Hadn't thought to use it with Chi Waking client who has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's!! So I introduced client to metronome and left them to it.
Here is the follow up email recently received ... you'll just
love this
Stuart,
Many thanks for the 'walker's metronome. I found it to be a quite
remarkable aid to overcoming the embarrassing irregularity of my
stride, and in no time at all I was walking with a confidence and
rythm that I hadn't experienced since I was diagnosed as having
'Parkinson's'. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend its use to anyone
with this same medical problem. Truly, I can't thank you enough for
giving my morale such a boost. Colin
Subsequent to all that excitement and again he was enthusing about
his renewed confidence when walking to the beat of the metronome
and then added ..."particularly when added to the Y-Chi you taught
me". I love this man!! Colin went on to explain that the
metronome regulates his cadence and the Y-Chi ensures he keeps his
head up and gives him a target/a focus!!
How good is that?