Physical Therapy for Parkinson's Disease....Get Unstuck to Move Onward and Upward!

Parkinson's disease is a very serious disorder that affects one's movement often resulting in impairments such as tremors, bradykinesia (slowed movements), and stiffness (muscles getting stiff more than the actual joints themselves). While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease (PD), certain treatments have been researched extensively and found to be effective in slowing down or even regaining some of the associated losses! One of those well-researched treatments is physical therapy, specifically LSVT BIG (Lee Silverman Voice Training BIG)! Physical therapy in general is excellent for improving one's flexibility, strength, posture, balance, movement strategy, etc....all useful tools in the fight against PD! Finding a physical therapist (PT) is imperative for learning a safe and customized routine that accommodates your unique situation! One might say "I've seen the movements used in the LSVT BIG program and they look way too hard"! That is the benefit of working with a PT certified in Lee Silverman Voice Training BIG! We are able to adjust the program in its entirety to accommodate whatever special circumstances you are in. This way we maximize the potential of your recovery!

Due to how Parkinson's leads to slow/stiff movements, this further leads to very small motions whether it is manipulating one's hands (trying your shoes, zipping up your jacket) or walking from the kitchen to the dining room. Lee Silverman Voice Training BIG in particular targets those smaller movements. This is achieved by having patients perform very LARGE movements that have been studied in great detail to essentially compensate for the smaller ones. Those affected by Parkinson's disease have an impaired perception of how small a movement they are truly making. Thus the idea is that however exaggerated these large movements in treatment seem, in reality, the patient's everyday movements will end up somewhere in the middle between the small movements and LSVT BIG large movements (this is a major simplification of both PD and LSVT BIG obviously without it turning into a 10 page paper)! We at Woo Physical Therapy and Wellness are certified in LSVT BIG and are ready to address your needs! Get your life back and live life to the fullest!

As a disclaimer, this blog post isn’t intended as professional clinical advice. We at Woo Physical Therapy and Wellness are proud to serve the Anne Arundel, Howard, and Prince George's counties in-home and online anywhere in the U.S.A.!!