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At 11:22 AM 6/17/96 -0400, you wrote: > >I'm Bethany Johnson and my mother has been diagnosed with Parkinson's for >almost 6 years now. ..............She frequently (I'd say about 4-5 >times a day) falls down for no particular reason. Sometimes she says it's >because she was trying to turn around and others she just seems to freeze >up and lose her balance. We take her to a chiropractor three times a week, >and she has different packets of exercises she can do and instructions >from the chiropractor, but she seems to simply refuse to do them. I'm >wondering if there's any way to get her to even try a few simple ones. >I've heard of people who have done exercises on a regular basis and have >straightened up, and I think she could if she would only give them a >chance. >We have also been recommended to try to take her to a physical therapist. >Does anyone know if that helps at all? >Thanks. >Bethany >_________________________________________________________________________ > Beth, My Father lived with PD for over 20 years and in later life developed the same symptoms and attitudes your Mother is exhibiting (including a refusal to exercise). YES physical therapy will help. Anything that can be done to loosen up the frozen muscles of the back and neck will help in both her ballance and walking. Obviously, if she will work on the exercises the effects will be prolonged, but PT will at least show her that something can be done without relying just on the meds. Maybe seeing that is what she needs. Hang in there. Charlie Anjard Charlie Anjard; Lancaster, PA, USA; 47/6 [log in to unmask]