Living with Parkinson's disease centres on exercise, which is the intervention with the strongest evidence for slowing functional decline, alongside medication timing, falls prevention, and planning while decisions can still be made comfortably. Vigorous exercise has better evidence for maintaining function than almost anything else available, and starting early matters more than starting perfectly.
Living with Parkinson's disease centres on exercise, which is the intervention with the strongest evidence for slowing functional decline, alongside medication timing, falls prevention, and planning while decisions can still be made comfortably. Vigorous exercise has better evidence for maintaining function than almost anything else available, and starting early matters more than starting perfectly.
This deserves stating firmly because it is often heard as generic encouragement. Regular vigorous exercise has better evidence for maintaining function in Parkinson's disease than almost anything else available, and the effect appears to depend on intensity rather than just movement. Programmes emphasising large amplitude movement, boxing-style training, treadmill work, dance and tai chi all have support. Starting early matters. It is worth asking for a referral to physical therapy rather than waiting until problems appear.
Take medication on time, because the window matters more here than for most drugs and being late produces noticeably worse function. Protein can interfere with absorption of levodopa, so spacing doses away from high-protein meals often helps. Never stop Parkinson's medication abruptly. Carry a current list and keep a supply when travelling, since missing doses in hospital or on holiday is a common and avoidable problem. If a hospital admission happens, the timing schedule needs stating explicitly to staff.
Falls prevention is central: clear trip hazards, improve lighting, use rails, and address freezing with specific strategies rather than willpower. The non-motor symptoms often affect quality of life more than tremor does, and are frequently under-reported: constipation, disturbed sleep, acting out dreams, low mood, anxiety, and light-headedness on standing. Each is treatable and worth raising specifically, because appointments otherwise focus on movement.
Clinical Neurology Specialists has been physician-owned since 1998, when Leo Germin, M.D., FAANEM founded it. Five board-certified neurologists and four advanced practice providers see patients at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices, each with its own AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratory.
Clinical Neurology Specialists is an adult outpatient neurology practice for patients 18 and older. The practice performs no surgery and operates no imaging suite, infusion suite or interventional pain programme, and provides no emergency or inpatient care.
Physician-reviewed. Reviewed by the physicians of Clinical Neurology Specialists — board-certified neurologists, AANEM-accredited electrodiagnostic laboratories, physician-owned since 1998. Reviewed 1 August 2026. This article is general education for adults 18 and older and is not a substitute for a consultation.
Sources and further reading: MedlinePlus: Parkinson's disease; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; National Institute on Aging.
Adults 18 and older, at the Las Vegas and Henderson offices. Call 702-804-1212 or request an appointment online.