Physiotherapy to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder which affects the central nervous system. This initially affects the motor skills and coordination of the patient, with a distinctive hand tremor being one of the most common early symptoms. As the disease progresses the patient can have some cognitive effects including dementia and depression. Physiotherapy can help to deal with a lot of physical and cognitive effects. 

Forced exercise

Most Parkinsons patients find that they have more stiffness or lack of control on one side of the body. This can often result in discomfort as the patient starts doing exercises in a non-symmetrical way and places extra pressure on the side with most movement currently. Physiotherapists can help to manipulate and stretch the stiffer side of the body to help relieve pain in the short term as well as encouraging more symmetrical exercise. This could include doing arm circles on both sides to help mobilise a stiff shoulder. 

Encouraging coordination and balance

Many hospitals and physiotherapy clinics also run group physiotherapy classes for Parkinson's patients. These classes run to music and encourage people to repeat co-ordinated movements to the music. This encourages physical balance and co-ordination as well as stimulating the brain by getting the patients to remember the movement and connect it with sections of the song. 

Group exercise classes are also beneficial to encourage social connection. This can help reduce the chances of depression, as many patients have depression and social isolation issues as their disease progresses and they cannot participate as easily in their common social activities. 

Encouraging aerobic fitness

Overall good physical fitness can help to manage the issues with an overall loss of muscle tone and reduction in mobility. Many patients benefit from physical therapy in doing exercises such as treadmill walking in a physiotherapy environment and exercises that improve diaphragm control during exertion. Studies show that patients with Parkinson's use up to 20% more energy for the same exercises, so improving overall fitness can be a useful part of remaining independent. It can also stimulate the neuroplasticity of the brain and may stimulate brain performance, 

Additionally, regular exercise has been shown to reduce the chances of depression.

If you or a loved one has Parkinson's Disease, it's a good idea to incorporate physiotherapy into your overall treatment plan. Physical therapy and exercise can help to manage the physical and cognitive effects of Parkinson's Disease and help you to retain your independence.