Becoming the Strongest Version of You With Parkinson's

​A Parkinson's diagnosis can feel like it rewrites your whole story overnight. But according to Dr. Neil Koppel, DC, a chiropractor and acupuncturist with more than 25 years of experience, your diagnosis is only one chapter — not the whole book. In a recent PD Talk hosted by the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida, Dr. Koppel broke down what Parkinson's disease actually changes in the brain and body, and what you can still influence starting today.

Curious what the research really shows about posture, exercise, and Parkinson's disease — and where the evidence still has limits? Keep reading, because the answers may change how you think about your next walk, your next appointment, and your next conversation with your care team.

​Can Exercise Improve Parkinson's Symptoms?
Yes — with real evidence behind it. A 2022 American Physical Therapy Association clinical practice guideline, along with a review of roughly 40 randomized controlled trials involving more than 1,600 people with Parkinson's disease, found that targeted exercise can improve walking speed, stride length, balance, and posture. Exercise can't cure or reverse Parkinson's disease, but it's one of the most evidence-backed tools available for maintaining function and independence.

What Parkinson's Disease Really Changes
Most people associate Parkinson's disease with tremor, but tremor is only part of the picture. Parkinson's disease can also cause bradykinesia (slower, smaller movements), rigidity (muscle stiffness), shuffling steps, and reduced balance and coordination. These changes rarely happen in isolation — one shift, like a change in gait, can ripple into posture, balance, and how the brain interprets signals from the body.

The Brain-Body Connection Behind Movement
Your brain relies on constant input from your eyes, inner ear, feet, muscles, and joints — a process called sensorimotor integration — to decide how to move. Dr. Koppel compared it to GPS: good information in means good directions out. When posture or movement patterns shift, as they often do with Parkinson's disease, the information reaching the brain can change too, which is why posture, balance, and movement are so closely linked.

​What the Research Shows
Dr. Koppel shared real-world examples: a 59-year-old man who maintained posture improvements 21 months after a structured gait-training program, and a 68-year-old woman whose pain dropped from 8 out of 10 to 2 out of 10 after multi-method rehabilitation. A larger, controlled study of 37 people found targeted trunk and posture training outperformed standard rehabilitation for balance.
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Dr. Koppel was clear about the limits, though: case studies show what's possible for one person, not proof of a cure. The strongest evidence remains for exercise and rehabilitation broadly — not any single treatment.

Where Chiropractic Care May Fit In
Chiropractic care doesn't replace your neurologist, medication, or physical therapy, and it isn't a treatment for Parkinson's disease itself. But people with Parkinson's disease can also develop separate mechanical issues, like joint stiffness or back pain, that may be safely evaluated alongside neurological care — one possible piece of a larger, team-based approach.
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Six Ways to Start Building Strength Today

1. Movement — keep moving safely, even if you need to slow down or adapt.
2. Strength — build the muscle you need for daily tasks like standing up and climbing stairs.
3. Balance and walking — practice these as skills, using cues that work for you.
4. Posture and mobility — don't ignore stiffness; have it evaluated.
5. Adaptation — find new ways to do familiar things.
6. Connect — lean on your full care team, including support organizations near you.

​Questions People Ask
Does posture really affect Parkinson's disease symptoms? Emerging research suggests posture can influence how the nervous system processes sensory information, though more Parkinson's-specific research is still needed.
Can chiropractic care help someone with Parkinson's disease? It may help address separate mechanical issues like stiffness or joint pain, but it does not treat or cure the underlying neurological condition.
What's the best type of exercise for Parkinson's disease? Clinical guidelines support a mix of aerobic exercise, strength training, balance training, gait training, and task-specific practice.
Is Parkinson's disease reversible with therapy or exercise? No. Therapy and exercise can improve function, comfort, and quality of life, but they do not reverse or cure Parkinson's disease.

Conclusion:
Parkinson's disease changes things — but it doesn't erase who you are or what you can still work toward. Whether that means walking a little farther, standing a little taller, or simply feeling more confident in daily life, small, evidence-informed steps add up. You don't have to figure it out alone, and you don't have to wait for a perfect moment to start.

​Why Support Matters
A diagnosis of any form of Parkinson's can feel overwhelming. But with the right support and resources, individuals can maintain independence, quality of life, and emotional well-being.
For resources, referrals, and support in navigating Parkinson's and related conditions, contact the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida at www.paswfl.org or call 239-417-3465.

For over 25 years, PASWFL has provided free, high-quality services and programs to individuals and families touched by Parkinson's disease in Southwest Florida. Their goal is simple: help people live well with PD, regardless of where they are in their journey.

Each week, PASWFL offers more than 25 free programs and support groups, including:

• Wellness and fitness classes
• Speech Exercise classes
• Educational seminars
• Support for care partners
• Support groups

There are no fees to become a member, and PASWFL welcomes anyone touched by PD.

Take the First Step Toward Living Well
If you suspect early Parkinson's or have been recently diagnosed, you don't have to face it alone.
👉 Click here to sign up for the PASWFL newsletter
👉 Click here to become a member…it's free and confidential
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To learn more, visit www.paswfl.org and discover the power of support, education, and community.
You don't have to live in SWFL to benefit from membership to the PASWFL. Membership is free and open to anyone with PD, their care partners, or family members.