Sarah has created a series of blogs looking at some common neurological conditions.
Last week, was stroke. This week, she looks at…
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects how the brain controls movement. This can lead to symptoms like stiffness, slower movements, shaking (tremors), and trouble with balance or walking.
Physiotherapy helps people with Parkinson’s stay as active, strong, and independent as possible. A physiotherapist is trained in understanding how Parkinson’s affects the human body and the interventions that can help which are supported by the highest quality evidence. As physiotherapist will work with each person to create a treatment plan that aligns with their needs, goals, and symptom management. Interventions may include:
- Exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance
- Gait re-training to help with stride, speed and safety in walking
- Stretching to reduce stiffness and improve posture
- Movement strategies, like using cues to make movement easier
- Falls prevention advice and training
Research shows that regular physiotherapy can reduce the risk of falls, improve walking ability, and boost confidence in daily activities. A Cochrane review (high quality research) of 39 randomised controlled trials (1827 participants) found that physiotherapy significantly improved: walking speed, walking endurance, freezing of gait, mobility, balance and overall disability (rated on the UPDRS scale).
Click here to book online, or call 95801985 to speak with one of out physios to see if we can help you.
Reference:
Tomlinson CL, Patel S, Meek C, Herd CP, Clarke CE, Stowe R, Shah L, Sackley CM, Deane KHO, Wheatley K, Ives N. Physiotherapy versus placebo or no intervention in Parkinson's disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD002817. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002817.pub4.