Michael J. Fox once said, "We may each have our own individual Parkinson's, but we all share one thing in common. Hope."

New research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry backs that up.

Danish researchers analyzed various studies and found that high levels of physical activity, particularly from middle age on, reduce the risk of getting Parkinson's disease by up to 25%. And for people who have been diagnosed, physical exercise specifically tailored to their needs can control symptoms and may slow progression of the disease.

It can even stabilize or reduce the amount of medication a patient needs.

Further research from Dr. Jay Alberts at the Cleveland Clinic indicates that strapping your feet in a motorized stationary bike and pedaling at 90 revolutions per minute can reduce Parkinson’s symptoms by 30% to 51%. In a subset of patients, Parkinson’s was even reversed.

Try 30 minutes, three times a week to cause regrowth of dopaminergic neurons.

The recommendation is that every Parkinson’s patient have exercise prescribed as part of his or her care routine.

People with difficulty walking should be instructed on exercises that make it easier to get around; people who have trouble standing from a chair need leg-strengthening exercises; and balance exercises benefit everyone with Parkinson’s disease.

For a downloadable guide on Parkinson's and exercise, go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at michaeljfox.org.