April- Parkinson's Awareness Month and Help From Physical Therapy

April is Parkinson's disease Awareness month, a time to reflect on the disease and help for those who suffer with it. Parkinson’s disease involves a loss of nerve cells in your brain that produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine plays a critical role in controlling one’s movements. While Parkinson’s is the second most common degenerative brain disorder after Alzheimer’s, its exact causes are not known. It is believed aging, family history and exposure to certain environmental toxins may be among them.

The severity and types of symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary, with symptoms sometimes mild at first. A diagnosis may be made if a patient has: At least two key signs - a tremor when resting, muscle rigidity or slowing of motion, or a noticeable improvement in symptoms when the patient takes levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson’s Initial symptoms on one side of the body.

 After a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, normally based on medical history and a neurological exam, a physical therapist can help the patient to fight and manage the symptoms. In our work providing physical therapy in the home, we have helped a number of people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. After the physical therapist’s thorough evaluation of posture, strength, flexibility and balance, he or she will develop an individualized treatment plan and exercise program. A variety of exercises and technologies will be used to: combat the symptoms; improve the smoothness and coordination of movement; decrease the risk of falling; improve the ability to perform hand movements and also improve overall levels of fitness, strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease transforms previously simple daily activities into frustrating and time consuming challenges. However, a physical therapist will become a patient’s partner in helping to blunt symptoms.

 While, at this time, there is no recognized way to prevent Parkinson’s, studies have shown improved walking, flexibility, balance and strength in patients participating in an exercise program. It’s critical that long-term exercise habits are developed so that important gains are sustained. Working with a physical therapist, who will adjust the treatment program as a person’s condition changes, will help a Parkinson’s patient remain as active and independent as possible.  For more information, please consult http://www.distinctivept.com