Stretching into Strength — The Quiet Power of Movement

Living with Parkinson’s is a daily practice of learning and listening. We learn what our bodies need every day, even as those needs change. We listen to the stiffness that settles into our muscles, to the fatigue that moves through us without warning, and to the quiet hope that tells us we are still here — still capable of moving toward ease. One of the most common challenges for those of us living with Parkinson’s is rigidity: that tight, “locked-in” sensation that can make simple movements feel heavy or slow. It’s a symptom that affects not only how we move, but how we feel in our own bodies.

Over time, I came to understand that pushing harder wasn’t the answer. Strength isn’t always found in effort or force. Sometimes, strength begins in softness. Sometimes, strength is in the stretch.

Stretch therapy has proven to be one of the most supportive practices for those living with Parkinson’s. Research published in Movement Disorders Clinical Practice and supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation highlights that daily stretching can improve mobility, decrease muscle rigidity, support balance, and reduce pain. When we stretch, we help the muscles regain length and flexibility, increasing blood flow and signaling the nervous system to relax. This is especially important because Parkinson’s doesn’t just make muscles stiff — it also affects how the brain communicates with those muscles. Stretching becomes a bridge between the two.

But stretching isn’t only something we have to do on our own. There is enormous value in being stretched with the assistance of a trained professional. A certified stretch therapist can safely guide the body into movements we may not be able to achieve by ourselves. They support the joints, lengthen the muscles, reduce strain, and help retrain patterns of movement. This kind of assisted stretching allows us to move more freely, more safely, and sometimes more deeply than we could alone.

Here in our community, we are fortunate to have practitioners who understand this well. Linda from Simply Stretch (njsimplystretch.com) has been working hands-on with clients, including those living with Parkinson’s, to create individualized stretch sessions that address stiffness, posture, gait limitations, and pain. The experience of being stretched by someone who understands the body — and understands this journey — can be transformative. Many people describe leaving a session feeling taller, lighter, and more open in their movement. The body remembers freedom, even if only in small steps, and those small steps matter.

Stretch therapy also impacts our emotional well-being. The tightening that happens in our bodies often mirrors the tightening that happens in our hearts and minds. Parkinson’s asks us to adapt — again and again — and that effort alone can create tension. Stretching allows space for release. It is a moment to slow down, to breathe, to reconnect with yourself. It reminds us that we are not powerless in our care. We can influence our comfort, our mobility, our experience of daily life.

This is what embracing the journey looks like. Not fighting ourselves. Not rushing. Not measuring worth by what we used to be able to do. But honoring who we are now, and supporting the body we are living in today.

Stretching teaches us that movement is still possible. Comfort is still possible. Relief is still possible. Hope is still possible.

If you are just beginning, start small. One stretch. One breath. One moment of returning to your body with care. You don’t have to do it alone. Community matters. Support matters. Your body matters.

We stretch not to reclaim the past, but to support the life we are living now — and the one we are still growing into.

That, to me, is strength. And that is truly embracing the journey.

Reflection Invitation

Take a quiet moment today.
Sit, breathe, and gently scan your body from head to toe.
Without judgment, ask yourself:

• Where do I feel tightness?

• Where do I feel open?

• What part of my body could use just a little more kindness today?

Choose one small stretch.
Breathe into it.
Let it be enough.

If you are interested in exploring stretch therapy, I highly encourage scheduling a session with Linda at Simply Stretch:
njsimplystretch.com

And if you'd like to move, breathe, and stretch in community, join us for our Movement Therapy Sessions with The Oxx Foundation.

Together, we support the body, the mind, and the spirit — one gentle step at a time. You are not alone. We are embracing the journey together.