08 Jan Physical Therapy Gains Popularity Among Those with Parkinson’s
People with Parkinson’s Disease are living longer and better lives through physical therapy intervention. While physical therapy cannot cure Parkinson’s, but it can most certainly help a person compensate for and even improve changes brought about by the condition.
The primary signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease includes resting tremor, rigidity, decreased voluntary movement, and difficulty with posture, which are usually what triggers people to seek medical advice and receive a diagnosis. How those signs and symptoms affect a person’s life is often what drives people to physical therapy. Suzanne McCrum, an experienced Physical Therapist at Trio Rehabilitation and Wellness Solutions (Trio Rehab), with over 25 years of experience with neurological disorders, states, “Most of the people with Parkinson’s Disease that I have worked with report changes with handwriting and decreased walking speed as their major concerns.”
In addition to these primary complaints, other concerns for those living with the disease may include pain, light-headedness, fatigue, difficulty with sleep, and emotional problems. To alleviate these complaints, patients with Parkinson’s Disease are now able to select from programs gaining in popularity due to their positive outcomes including Dance for Parkinson’s®, LSVT Big & Loud®, Myofascial Release, Rock Steady, Tai Chi classes, and Yoga classes.
Lee Silverman, a woman with Parkinson’s Disease, was one of the first people who received effective voice treatment from Dr. Lorraine Ramig, future co-founder of the LSVT program. The program was named in her honor. Dr. Ramigs and her team have conducted research on the program for more than 25 years and are published in some of the most respected science journals. Today there are two distinct LSVT programs.
One is LSVT LOUD®, used by speech language pathologists to improve communication. The other is LSVT BIG®, used by Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists to improve mobility and movement used in everyday function. Both of these programs use evidence-based protocols used to address the motor and non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. Certification is required to offer this program. At Trio Rehab, our physical therapists are LSVT Big certified.
“LSVT BIG is a great program we offer clients at Trio Rehab,” states Suzanne McCrum. “We also use skilled but practical physical therapy interventions such as relaxation techniques to decrease pain and rigidity as well as walking to the beat of a metronome to improve speed of gait.”
Physical therapy can help ease symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease:
- Freezing Gait
- Balance
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pain
- Rigidity
- Tightness
- Sleep Hygiene
Two important questions people with Parkinson’s Disease usually have include, “how long will therapy last” and “how much will it cost.”
Jennica Colvin, owner at Trio Rehab states, “should your physical therapists and you determine that the LSVT BIG is the right fit, the protocol is four hours of therapy a week for four weeks. However, if another intervention is recommended, the length of care can last for two months, while receiving skilled intervention two to three times a week. As far as insurance is concerned, we have had great success with insurance covering physical therapy to address and support the needs of our patients with Parkinson’s Disease.”
Due the progressive and chronic nature of Parkinson’s, Trio Rehab encourages people who receive therapy at the clinic to return for a “check-up” every three to six months. This allows us to adapt our support for the physical and emotional needs of each client as the disease progresses. We want our clients to know they will receive unwavering support throughout their journey.