Parkinson’s and Physiotherapy

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Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor (movement) system in the brain.  It occurs when there is a shortage of a chemical, called dopamine, in the brain. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that allows our neurons to communicate and tell our body to move.

Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include:

  • Slowed movement (bradykinesia). This is when your body may have problems moving as quickly as you would like it to.  When it comes to walking, it often manifests as shorter steps and a shuffling gait/walking pattern.  You may also have a harder time getting up out of a chair or bed.  

  • Rigid muscles.Muscle stiffness is common in Parkinson’s disease and can lead to restrictions in the range of motion of your limbs and trunk.

  • Loss of autonomic movements.You may notice a loss of those autonomic movements, which are movements that we do without thinking, such as swinging your arms as you walk.  

  • Impaired posture.  A stooped over posture may occur with muscle stiffness.

  • Impaired balance.Many people notice an impairment in their overall balance and their balance reactions.

  • Tremor.

How Physiotherapy can help!

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are many things that can be done to help improve function and increase overall quality of life.  Parkinson’s affects everybody differently, and a physiotherapist will work with each client one-on-one to assess what their individual needs are. Some ways a physiotherapist may help include:

  • Working on gait/walking pattern, teaching strategies and ways to correct it.

  • Prescribing exercises to help with muscle rigidity.  We often prescribe practicing very “over-exaggerated” movements to help combat the muscle rigidity that comes with Parkinsons.  Practising these movements over and over again can help the brain to relearn what a “normal” movement is.

  • Prescribing range of motion exercises and stretches. 

  • Teaching techniques to make tasks, such as getting out of a chair or sitting up out of bed, easier.

  • Teaching techniques to help with “freezing”.

  • Safely working with individuals to challenge their balance and improve balance reactions.

  •  Postural exercises.

There is a growing amount of research that supports aerobic exercise as helping with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.  We now know that aerobic exercise is healthy not just for the heart and lungs, but also improves oxygenation to the brain and can improve its function.  Aerobic exercise for individuals with Parkinsons is most beneficial if it is not autonomic, but rather consciously challenging, doing things like changing direction or speed.  A physiotherapist will ensure that the type of aerobic exercise a patient chooses is safe for them since some activities, such as riding a two wheeler bike, may not be safe if balance is impaired.  

The symptoms of Parkinsons can be treated and effectively reduced.  Ask one of our physiotherapists for help today!