7 Ways the Arts Can Help People with Parkinson’s Disease

FoxFeed Blog

Posted by  Nancy Ryerson, March 04, 2015

Painting, playing an instrument or simply dancing in your living room are all relaxing ways to express yourself. For many people with Parkinson's, these hobbies can also help manage certain symptoms.

Our community shared how their favorites, from beading jewelery to playing the euphonium, have helped them with Parkinson's symptoms and improved their sense of well-being. Programs such as Dance for PD offer training on how to use the arts to improve symptoms, but you can also enjoy these benefits by pursuing arts hobbies on your own.

“Get creative and try to use your Parkinson’s, rather than be limited by it," advises Rachel Dolhun, MD, on staff movement disorder specialist at MJFF. "One of my patients loved to take photographs. Rather than giving up that hobby because her hands wouldn’t stay still, she used her tremor to her advantage and the images contained beautiful shadows and unique trails of light induced by the shaking.” 

1. 1. Singing has been found to help people with Parkinson's disease improve voice strength and volume.

   2. Besides being relaxing, playing an instrument, painting and other arts endeavors can help people with Parkinson's maintain motor skills.

   1. 3. Use your craft to help raise awareness about Parkinson's disease. Whether you're painting a self portrait, writing a personal essay or even penning a play, creative works can help others understand your experience better.

      1. 4. Many people with Parkinson's have found that dance helps improve their balance, and that moving to a rhythm helps them avoid freezing episodes. Any exercise has also been found to improve Parkinson's symptoms such as gait and flexibility.

         1. 5. Art isn't limited to painting and drawing. Any engrossing activity that you enjoy can help you relax and potentially manage symptoms.

            1. 6. Enjoying a hobby can also be a way to connect with others who also have Parkinson's, or who simply share your interests.

               1. 7. If there's a hobby you enjoyed that your Parkinson's symptoms have impacted, our community recommends trying them again and making the most of your new "style."

                  https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?ways-the-arts-can-help-people-with-parkinson-disease&utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_content=foundationnews&utm_campaign=arts-pd&s_src=foundationnews&s_subsrc=arts-pd#prclt-xZi1as4Q