Parkinson's Therapy
At Metro Physical Therapy, we use principles from BIG & LOUD exaggerated movements for strengthening motor skills and increasing balance. Our Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists have neurological expertise and with an evaluation, we can help with slowing down the progression of the disease.
Available: In-Office, In-Home and Virtually
About parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) most often develops after age 50. It is one of the most common nervous system disorders of the elderly. Sometimes Parkinson's disease occurs in younger adults. It affects both men and women. In some cases, Parkinson's disease runs in families. When a young person is affected, it is usually because of a form of the disease that runs in families.
Nerve cells use a brain chemical called dopamine to help control muscle movement. Parkinson's disease occurs when the nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine are slowly destroyed. Without dopamine, the nerve cells in that part of the brain cannot properly send messages. This leads to the loss of muscle function. The disease is progressive and with Physical Therapy, it is proven to help slow the symptoms of the disease.
PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Skilled rehab therapy consisting of physical and occupational therapy, coupled with a comprehensive Metro wellness program, are key components to preventing further decline due to Parkinson's Disease. Metro's therapists have advanced Parkinson's training which makes them experts in keeping our clients strong, active and independent. Metro's physical and occupational therapists work together to make sure clients can continue to participate in meaningful activities.
Physical Therapy for Parkinson's Disease includes a variety of therapeutic treatment forms including:
Gait analysis and gait training
Muscle strengthening
Stretching for improved muscle flexibility
Coordination training
Training in stair climbing
A physical therapy program can help a client with Parkinson's Disease to:
Prevent falls and "freezing"
Improve endurance
Improve coordination and smoothness of movement
Improve strength
Develop a daily exercise program
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Occupational therapy for Parkinson's Disease incorporates the use of functional activities as part of the therapy process, including:
ADL training: dressing, feeding, bathing, grooming, hygiene, toileting
IADL training: leisure activities, social participation, caring for pets, participating in daily activities and routines
Balance training to improve participation in tasks
Training to manage tremors in the hands and upper extremities
Safety and fall prevention including "fall proofing" of home environments
Modification of tasks including recommendation of equipment, technology and adaptive strategies to improve independence
Transfer training to improve ability to get up from a chair or toilet seat as well as in and out of bed or a car.
An occupational therapy program can help a client with Parkinson's Disease to:
Prevent falls and improves safety at home
Improve coordination with tasks including buttoning, feeding, and handwriting
Manage tremors during functional tasks
Continue to participate in social activities with modifications
Maintain independence at home with improved safety
Speech Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
As per the Parkinson’s Foundation, “most people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) will experience changes in speech, voice and swallowing at some point during the course of the disease. The same PD symptoms that occur in the muscles of the body – tremor, stiffness and slow movement – can occur in the muscles used when speaking and swallowing.”
Speech Therapy for Parkinson's Disease includes a variety of therapeutic treatment forms including:
- Muscle strengthening (oral motor)
- Stretching for improved muscle flexibility
- Voice Therapy
- Dysphagia (swallowing) therapeutic exercise, compensatory strategies & diet modification
- Breathing & Relaxation
A speech therapy program can help a client with Parkinson's Disease to:
- Improve voice loudness & quality
- Improve speech clarity
- Improve endurance & strength
- Improve coordination and smoothness of oral motor movement for speech & swallowing
- Improve breath support & control for speech
- Develop a daily exercise program & carryover skills to outside therapy sessions
- maintain highest quality of life throughout progression of disease
LSVT BIG & Loud Program for Parkinson's Disease
The LSVT BIG Program is a specialized program that focuses on the unique movement impairments associated with Parkinson's Disease. The BIG Program uses repetitive and exaggerated movements to help improve gait, mobility, decrease "freezing" and other symptoms associated with PD. Clients who participate in the BIG Program attend 4 - one hour sessions per week for 4 weeks.
LSVT LOUD is an evidenced based speech & voice treatment program created by Dr. Lorraine Ramig for people living with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. LSVT has been scientifically studied and seen to effectively train people with PD to use their voice with a habitual loudness while speaking with familiar and unfamiliar partners in various settings ranging from quiet conversation to more demanding events. The main goal of the program is to “recalibrate” the voice through a series of exercises to a loudness level that is appropriate to achieve effective, easy and functional communication.
Parkinson's Wellness
Available: In Our Garden City Office and Select Offices
Dance for Parkinson's
Metro is proud to offer dance classes based off of the internationally acclaimed Dance for Parkinson's Program of the Mark Morris Dance Group. Dance for Parkinson's promotes overall wellness and has both physical and psychological benefits. Researchers have studied the program to find:
• A 10.4 percent improvement from baseline
in overall movement
• A 26.7 percent improvement from baseline in walking
• An 18.5 percent improvement from baseline in tremor"
Drumming for Parkinson's
Metro's Drumming for Parkinson's class incorporates repetitive and large movements which have proven to be successful components of a Parkinson's wellness program. This class focuses on rhythm and coordination in a group style drumming circle. The class is sure to be fun, drumming along to lively music with friends!
Singing for Parkinson's
Mindful Melodies: Group therapy class led by an ASHA accredited & LSVT trained Speech-Language Pathologist that incorporates music, singing, mindful movements, speech/language and cognitive skills. There is substantial research to support the enhancement of memory, speech & language production, and mood with the implementation of music and mindful movements in skilled settings. These sessions also incorporate modalities of LSVT LOUD for Parkinson’s.