Understanding Parkinson’s disease

Some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease will affect your muscles and joints, they will cause the sufferer to move more slowly and feel weakness, tightness and pain in the joints and muscles. There is however a lot that can be done to alleviate these symptoms and get you a little more mobile in the process, physical and occupational therapy are just two of these ways.

While physical therapy isn’t a cure for the disease it can help the patient to compensate for changes which the disease brings about, physical therapy entails the sufferer learning new techniques to help and improve movement by learning strategies and using equipment. Your physical therapist will be able to show you exercise routines which can be done in the home and which will help to both strengthen and loosen muscles.

The whole aim of physical therapy is to show you ways to help you to become more independent and improve your quality of life by relieving pain and improving function and movement of the muscles affected. Physical therapy not only deals with the issues you now have with your disease but it also used in the prevention of symptoms not yet shown, for example by establishing an exercise routine before rigidity symptoms show.

Physical therapy can help with the following

• Problems occurring with the balance.
• A lack of co-ordination.
• Tiredness and fatigue.
• Pain in the muscles and joints.
• Decreased mobility.
• Weakness.

How do I get physical therapy?

Usually your Doctor will refer you to the hospital which will have physical therapy services on an out patient basis, if you feel that you could benefit from therapy and your Doctor hasn’t mentioned it then don’t be afraid to ask outright.

How long does physical therapy last?

A programme in physical therapy will normally be around three visits; the first will be an evaluation of your condition to asses which exercises will be most beneficial to you. Following visits will be to check your program with the programme and refine it as necessary.

Occupational therapy

You may benefit from occupational therapy if the symptoms of your disease are stopping you from being productive at work or home, enjoying pastimes or hobbies or taking care of yourself.

How does occupational therapy help?

Your occupational therapist will normally make recommendations in the following areas:

• Offer handwriting aids.
• Provide modifications to your home.
• Offer arm and hand therapy.
• Make modifications to your vehicle.
• Make modifications to your workplace or equipment used within the workplace.
• Supply manual or electronic wheelchairs.
• Supply dressing and grooming aids.
• Supply bathtub aids.