This week, the PhysioCare at Home blog will be sharing information about a condition we help clients with regularly in the community: Parkinson’s Disease.
Did You Know?
The number of people over 40 living with Parkinson’s will increase 65% by 2031
The Parkinson Society Canada is a wealth of information about the disease, current research, and community resources for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones. I won’t repeat everything from their page, but please do check it out here.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative movement disorder. That means it affects our brain and the way it coordinates movement, and that it will continue to worsen over time. Doctors can prescribe medication to treat the symptoms of the disease, often quite effectively, but there is no medical “cure” (yet).
Many people with Parkinson’s seek a physiotherapist’s knowledge about exercise. slow the progression of the physical symptoms of the disease, to maintain their function and independence as long as possible.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
- Rigidity
- Slow movement
- Postural instability
- Tremor
Physiotherapy Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Physiotherapy treatment is very individualized, and should be customized to the stage of the disease and the precise symptoms and condition of each person. Physiotherapy cannot “cure” Parkinson’s Disease, but it can help minimize secondary complications and assist in maximizing the person’s movement and function.
This is primarily going to be achieved by prescribing specific exercises to address postural alignment, gait balance, strength and flexibility.
Other therapies are often used to complement physiotherapy. Join me for the rest of this week as I’ll be posting an interview I conducted with a Parkinson’s Disease researcher and Yoga Instructor, Kaitlyn Roland!
