Tremors are unintentional shaking movements that most often occur in the hands, but can happen anywhere in the body. Parkinson's disease is a primary cause of tremors. Exercise is extremely important for Parkinson's patients, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. While exercise is recommended to help diminish tremors, physical activity may worsen tremors in the short term. Discuss your tremors, and how your exercise regimen may affect them, with your doctor.
Causes
Tremors are generally caused by malfunctions in areas of the brain that control muscles in the body, including the hands, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions can cause tremors. Amphetamines, corticosteroids, mercury poisoning, liver failure and alcohol abuse, which kills certain nerve cells, can also cause tremors.
Effects
Tremors can occur in the hands, arms, legs, trunk and head. Rhythmic shaking can make it difficult to write or hold eating utensils. Stress may not only worsen tremors --- it can trigger them in some cases, explains the American Academy of Family Physicians' FamilyDoctor website.
Exercise can reduce stress and possibly help diminish tremors. Exercise helps Parkinson's patients helps keep muscles well-toned, reduce anxiety and may possibly slow progression of the disease.
Misconceptions
Parkinson's patients may falsely believe that exercise places stress on the brain and kills brain cells, which causes them to shake more. Exercise may temporarily worsen tremors, but no brain damage or cell death takes place, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. The benefits of exercise far outweigh a temporary increase in tremors. Tremors typically decrease back to baseline shortly after you stop exercising.
Considerations
Good exercises for people with tremors include walking and swimming. Both can improve balance and strength. Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercise or yoga poses may relieve stress and keep tremors from getting worse.
Outlook
Tremors are not life-threatening but they can make performing daily task more burdensome. No cure exists for most tremors, but medication and/or surgical procedures can improve muscle control and reduce or eliminate tremors.
Unsteadiness or stumbling can be improved with balance or gait therapy, which the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center explains, involves regaining walking skills. Talk to your doctor if you suspect one or more of your medications is intensifying shakiness.
