Health and Fitness : Parkinson’s Disease and Laughter Therapy - Meeting July 23rd

How can laughter help patients with Parkinson’s Disease? In more ways than you can think. Laughter can lessen the severity of depression symptoms, increase heart rate, improve respiration, and assist with relaxation. In addition, the American Medical Journal and the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor states that laughing for 10 minutes can drop blood pressure between 10-20 mmHg. Laughter also is known to first release the neurotransmitter dopamine which along with serotonin keeps the mind in a state of equilibrium, as well as keeping the patient in high spirits. Parkinson patients tend to not produce enough Dopamine, which impacts one’s affect, motor skills, and can be related to tremors. So, the Parkinson’s Group in Vinton/Benton County has sought out Eliz Guyer from Waterloo to speak about Laughing Yoga on July 23 at 1:30 at Windsor Manor.

In addition to the benefits of laughing, laughing yoga incorporates techniques that have been utilized in treatments of sports injuries, neurological impairments, arthritis, and other diseases. It is estimated that about 11 million Americans use yoga for health benefits. Yoga improves flexibility, strength, and balance, which are all areas that Parkinson’s disease effects. Laughing Yoga in particular, improves overall health, improves mood, reduces stress in both work and personal environments, improves social skills and the overall desire to interact with other people, and improves coping with the disease.

Laughing Yoga has had a marked effect on the lives of many individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, and if you have been diagnosed or have a relative that has been, you are welcome, and encouraged to attend the Group Meeting on July 23rd at 1:30pm at Windsor Manor in Vinton.

If you have any further questions for the President for Vice President, please contact either Jim Petersen at 472-3619 or Barb Cassens at 472-3178. If you have therapy questions related to Parkinson’s Disease, please contact Stacey Hodges at 319-472-6372 in the therapy Department at Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics.

Contributed by: Stacey Hodges, Director of Therapy Services