The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines Parkinson’s disease as a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. Parkinson’s symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking. They may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue. Both men and women can have Parkinson’s disease. However, the disease affects about 50 percent more men than women.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the role of physical therapy is important. It is important to move around and stay active from diagnosis throughout the course of the disease. Recent research suggests that physical therapy — including gait and balance training, resistance training, and regular exercise — may help improve or hold the symptoms of PD at bay. The Parkinson’s Foundation is a great resource. Here are some recommendations about physical therapy:
Physical therapists can be helpful at all stages of PD. Movement impairments in the initial stages of the disease are not always obvious. By not engaging a physical therapist with a neurological specialization as part of their medical team, people with Parkinson’s often miss the window of opportunity to address these impairments early. Talk to your doctor about getting a baseline physical therapy evaluation and then continue with periodic re-evaluations.
According to the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can slow the decline in quality of life. The Parkinson’s Foundation has identified specific care approaches associated with better outcomes across patients who seek expert care at our designated care centers. Among others, best practices include early referral to physical therapy and encouragement of exercise as part of treatment.
A physical therapist is uniquely trained to design an exercise routine that targets specific motor impairments. Physical therapists also have an opportunity to provide frequent, direct feedback to help make you aware of how to exercise most effectively and safely.
A physical therapist can provide:
- Education and self-management advice.
- Exercise routines that have been associated with improvements (or slower declines) in mobility, quality of life and disease severity.
- Answers to questions about the type, intensity, frequency or duration of exercise that is best for you.
- Ways to maintain safety when exercising.
- Help with:
- Normal physical activity routine
- Walking: slowness, small steps, or freezing (feeling glued to the floor or difficulty getting started)
- Balance or stability
- Posture
- Pain
- Moving around the house (getting up from a chair, moving around in bed)
- Getting around (in/out of a car or bus, elevators, stairs and uneven ground)
- Address fear of falling, have fallen or are worried about your safety.
- Other health problems that affect mobility, including joint or muscle pain from arthritis, problems with endurance due to a heart or lung condition, a broken bone or surgery
For more information, visit Parkinson.org