Parkinsons

Parkinsons is a progressive neurological condition. Degeneration of the central nervous system causes the sufferer to experience problems in motor skills, speech and other functions. One person in every 500 has Parkinson's in the UK which amounts to approximately 120,000 people. Most people who have this condition are over 50 years of age, however there are also younger sufferers.

Common symptoms of Parkinsons are:

• Involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor)
• Slow movement
• Stiff and inflexible muscles causing flexed posture

These can cause problems with balance, pain and reduced mobility leading to increased chance of falls.

Other physical and psychological symptoms which may be experienced can include

• Problems sleeping
• Depression and anxiety
• Memory problems
• Loss of smell

Physiotherapy - The key goals of treatment that are often identified are:

• Improve your balance and posture
• Working on improving your strength, flexibility and core stability
• Teaching strategies to help with freezing, initiating movement and shuffling gait and help make some automatic movements easier
• Improve your walking
• Advice and therapy for pain relief
• Maintain or improve effective breathing and voice control
• Falls prevention
• Improve cardiovascular fitness
• Increase confidence in movement and in your everyday activities
• Improve quality of life

Occupational Therapy – An OT can assist with activities of daily living, adaptations and equipment for home and mobility.

Speech and Language therapy - A SLT can provide support, treatment and advice in communication, speech and swallowing.

Medical management – Prescribing and monitoring of medication for pain relief, muscle spasm, and mood.

Other professions that can be involved include Psychologists and Dieticians

PhysioFunction’s highly specialised neurological physiotherapists, therapy assistants, sports therapists, personal trainers and OT are able to deliver tailored programs for clients who have Parkinsons.

Some examples of the therapy you may receive includes:

• Hands on physiotherapy, which can be combined with home exercises to complement the physiotherapy sessions along with advice. This may include soft tissue therapy, mobilisation of stiff joints, and facilitation of more efficient movement patterns.
• Movement strategies to cope with difficulties such as freezing and cueing movement in different situations.
• Our Neurological Physiotherapists may also suggest seeing you in your own home, outdoors, or in the community (eg. gym) to help you manage the day-to-day physical problems you may encounter, and to integrate exercise in your everyday environment.
• Aquatic Physiotherapy/Hydrotherapy can provide a supportive medium for balance and walking training whilst the water can facilitate freedom of movement and mobility of tight muscles and stiff joints.
• Access to specialist Occupational Therapist to assist with activities of daily living.
• Group exercise with our multi-level Neurofit classes
• Falls prevention- education, balance training,
• Virtual Therapy – e.g MindMotion Go, Gripable
• Techniques for pain management
• Electrical stimulation – in some cases, use of Functional Electrical Stimulation for walking and cycling can provide valuable sensory feedback and external cueing to aid more fluid and natural movement patterns.

An early referral to Neurological Physiotherapy is recommended although we are able to provide treatment for those who have been managing the condition for longer

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/