For the 1,000,000 Americans who have Parkinson's: Water Exercises for Parkinson's provides gentle and effective water exercises to maintain balance, strength, endurance, and flexibility thus providing a way to lessen the impact of the disease. The buoyancy and cushioning effect of the water allows for freedom of movement with just the right amount of resistance needed to achieve the desired results.

For the families and friends of people with Parkinson's: Water Exercises for Parkinson's is designed to allow you to take an active part in helping your friend or loved one with Parkinson's. Each exercise describes a companion's role in assisting the person with Parkinson's so that the exercises are safe and effective.

For therapists and exercise professionals: Water Exercises for Parkinson's can help you understand the disease and design exercise programs geared specifically towards people affected by this neurodegenerative condition. This book contains information on the various assessments and tools used when determining the physical capabilities of a person with Parkinson's, allowing you to design the most beneficial program for your client.

Water Exercises for Parkinson's contains many individual exercises and five examples of exercise routines. It is richly illustrated so the reader can see all of the elements that go into an exercise program: equipment, warm-ups, stretching, aerobic exercises, strength exercises, balance exercises, exercises focusing on the abdominals, neck exercises, and cool downs. Included, also, is information on medications, vitamins and minerals, herbs, diet, and nutrition.

From the daily struggle in an active life of a PD survivor of 20+ years I am living proof that water exercises are of significant value and importance in the life of anyone who shares these experiences. Ann Rosenstein has done a wonderful job of putting this book together and I hope that other PD patients will benefit from this book and as I have from water exercising.

Tom Mraz


Parkinson's Exercises   March 6, 2002
 18 out of 19 found this review helpful

My Fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Miesel, made each of us in her class read a book every week and then to write a review describing the book. I have always loved to read, but how I hated writing that weekly book report. The subject of this book however is, Parkinson's Disease: a subject near and dear to my heart, as I have been suffering from this illness for 12 years. After reading this book, I felt compelled to submit a review to convince other Parkinson's sufferers and professionals treating patients with this illness that this book should be a part of all collections of reference books regarding the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

The 50 page introduction describes how Parkinson's effects individual's suffering from the illness and why exercise is so important for the overall treatment plan for people suffering from Parkinson's Disease. The author, Ann Rosenstein, explains how to begin a water exercise program, covering all aspects. She begins by listing what safety features to look for when choosing a pool to use for an exercise program. She recommends an exercise companion to aid the Parkinson's individual with carrying out his (her) water treatment program and devotes a chapter to describing how the companion can be most effective. Water exercise equipment is recommended to add resistance to the exercise program. The equipment is described as well as photographed.

The heart of the book are the photographs and detailed descriptions of the water exercises. Ann Rosenstein carefully describes the exercises step by step with pictures of her going through the exercises with individuals with Parkinson's Disease. She begins with warm-ups and stretching and then proceeds to demonstrate water exercises for the purpose aerobic and strength training. There are four different routines laid out to accommodate the different needs of Parkinson's patients. The book concludes with a chapter devoted to frequently asked questions about water exercise programs.

I certainly hope you consider adding this book to your library of books regarding treatment of Parkinson' Disease. It is well worth the investment.