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What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson?s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition caused by damage to the nerve cells in the brain which results in muscles stiffness, slow uncoordinated movement and problems with mood, speech and bladder and bowel function.
A person with Parkinson’s may have difficulty with their physical function such as walking, balance and coordination due to:
- Muscle tremors – involuntary muscle contraction
- Slowness of movement (bradykinesia) – difficulty initiating movement
- Increased tone/muscle stiffness
- Shuffling gait – waking with short steps and feet not clearing the ground
- Gait freezing – difficulty moving feet
- Dystonia – uncontrollable muscle contractions
Physiotherapy will maximise your physical potential by maintaining muscle strength and length, improving balance and mobility and increasing energy levels.
Above: Mobility exercises between the parallel bars under supervision of a neurological physiotherapistPhysiotherapy for Parkinson’s disease
At Physio.co.uk, our physiotherapists are experienced at treating individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Our specialised physiotherapists will increase your independence in daily activities and improve your quality of life. Physiotherapy treatment will target you physical symptoms and will focus on:
- Maintaining muscles strength for as long as possible
- Maximising mobility
- Improving joint range of movement
- Improving balance
- Improving posture in lying, sitting or standing
- Preventing falls
- Increasing energy levels
- Improving mood and sense of well being
- Muscle stretching exercises to lengthen stiff muscles and joints and to maintain a good posture.
- Passive and active exercises to keep your joints flexible and make movement smooth and efficient.
- Activities based around functional tasks to increase stamina and reduce fatigue
- Breaking down gait pattern into small steps and practising cueing and movement strategies to reduce the effects of freezing
- Balance training to increase confidence and prevent the risk of falling
- Correcting and varying posture in lying sitting and standing to increase comfort and prevent soft tissue shortening
- Teaching transfers such as getting in and out of bed, or on and off a chair
- Advice on aids and adaptations to the home that might be of use for functional abilities such as transferring walking and getting up and down the stairs
For more information, or to book an appointment please call 0330 088 7800. Alternatively, you can book an appointment using our online booking system
