What is Parkinson’s Disease and how can physiotherapy help?

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition, which can cause a number of symptoms that impact on walking, balance and everyday tasks. An area of the brain known as the substantia nigra normally produces dopamine, which is a chemical that transmits signals to another part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement. When a person has Parkinson’s, there is less dopamine produced, which can cause the following symptoms:

• Stiffness in limbs
• Poor balance
• Uncoordinated movements
• Tremor in upper/lower limbs
• Freezing of movement (the feeling of getting stuck on the spot)
• Unable to initiate movement
• Falls
• Reduced mobility/transfers

How can Physioimpulse help?
Neurological physiotherapy is extremely beneficial for patients with a diagnose of Parkinson’s Disease. Our experienced physiotherapists will create a treatment plan with you tailored towards your specific goals and needs. Treatment can be in clinic or as a home visit if required.
Treatments can include:

• Techniques to overcome freezing/ difficulty initiating movements
• Strengthening exercises
• Joint sessions to start gym programmes
• Task specific rehabilitation
• Stretching programmes for stiff joints and muscles
• Gait analysis and education
• Falls assessments and prevention advice

Have a look at the latest Parkinson’s Disease blog on PD Warrior.
 
 PD Warrior
PD Warrior is a relatively new and exciting treatment concept started in Australia and now used all over the world to improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
It is based on the latest evidence and research and consists of a programme of rehabilitation that is specific to a person’s Parkinson’s symptoms. It can be tailored to each person and works through key movement patterns and has been shown to slow down disease progression.
Unlike other exercise-based treatments, PD Warrior works ensures that treatment is tailored to specific difficulties that a person may be experiencing that are directly related to the condition. By doing this, goals can be worked towards more effectively.
PD Warrior can be used with any age group and can be tailored to the stage of Parkinson’s Disease that a person is at.

Patient Experience
Darren was diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease at age 65. He had been finding that his walking had slowed down considerably over the past 18 months and often tripped when going up stairs at home. After a number of tests and visits to specialists, he was seen by a neurologist who gave the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Darren loves to walk and would happily walk in the countryside for up to 10 miles.
2 months after his diagnosis, he decided to try neurological physiotherapy as he was desperate to get back to his local walking group. Darren had a combination of hands on treatment to address his stiff muscles and joints and also started the PD Warrior exercise programme, which he could also do at home in between physiotherapy sessions.
He is now able to walk 5 miles including hills with his walking group and his neurologist has arranged his appointments once a year rather than the initial 6 monthly reviews. He has had no trips or falls in the past 6 months and feels more active and energetic than before his Parkinson’s diagnosis!
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Please contact Physioimpulse to book an assessment or contact Katie our specialist neurological physiotherapist for further details. 
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Have a look at the video below describing PD Warrior.
https://youtu.be/Hy02Ka-rsKs

Bath Neuro Physio 01225 683007