Parkinson's treatment
The rehabilitation team at Norton King's Daughters' Health provides specialized treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions. These programs focus on communication and speech problems, as well as motor skills and balance. Using standardized treatment protocols, therapists at Norton KDH help patients improve speech disorders and improve body movements.
Motor functioning
Reviewed 12/6/2022
Sources
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. "Symptoms." https://www.michaeljfox.org/symptoms?symptoms.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. "Parkinson's Disease." https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/parkinsons-disease?search-term=parkinsons.
- Parkinson's Foundation. "Exercise." https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise.
- Parkinson's Foundation. "Parkinson's Disease." target="_blank">https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/parkinsons-disease?search-term=parkinsons
Parkinson's disease: True or false?
No one knows the exact cause of Parkinson's disease, a movement disorder that worsens over time. There is no cure, but medication and surgery can help manage its symptoms. About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year. How much do you know about this disease?
True or false: A special diet can treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
False. Diet alone won't treat it. But eating certain foods can ease symptoms. For example, drinking plenty of fluids daily can help you avoid constipation. So can eating fiber-rich foods like brown rice, whole grains, fruit and beans.
True or false: Exercise can lead to falls, so people with Parkinson's should avoid physical activity.
False. Physical activity can help you maintain and improve balance, flexibility and mobility. Exercise also might improve emotional well-being. Of course, you want to stay safe. So talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
True or false: The symptoms of Parkinson's are the same for everyone with the disease.
False. While tremors, slow movement, stiffness and impaired balance are the primary symptoms, not everyone with Parkinson's has all four—or experiences them in the same way. And other non-motor symptoms often accompany the disease. Work closely with your doctor to manage your particular symptoms—and make sure loved ones and caregivers understand the treatment plan too.
True or false: One effect of Parkinson's, called freezing, happens when you want to walk forward but your body doesn't move right away.
True. Freezing often occurs when you want to walk through a doorway or are trying to turn around. Some tips for getting out of a freezing episode include marching in place, counting out loud or trying to move in a different direction.
True or false: A decreased sense of smell can be an early sign of Parkinson's.
True. It's called hyposmia, and it can occur years before any of the motor signs associated with the disease. Most people with hyposmia won't go on to develop Parkinson's, but many people with Parkinson's will have hyposmia.
You can learn more about Parkinson's in the Parkinson's Disease health topic center.
Sources: Michael J. Fox Foundation; National Institutes of Health
Working with our therapists, patients can expect to improve walking with larger steps, improve balance and improve trunk rotation. Treatment includes individualized sessions with the therapists over a specific period of time. Therapists assign patients exercises to practice at home and build a program in which exercises advance throughout the process.
Goals include:
- Larger movements.
- Intensive, high-effort practices.
- Reinforcing the effort required to produce normal movements.
- Translating movements into everyday activities.
- Empowering patients with Parkinson's to improve their potential.
It's important for patients to remain active and continue moving. Research shows that Parkinson's patients who work to improve movement and function retain a higher quality of life. It also reduces a patient's risk of becoming impaired or disabled.
Communication and speech
Most patients with Parkinson's disease will develop speech problems that can progressively diminish their quality of life. These problems often include using a soft voice, mumbled speech, monotone speech or a hoarse voice. The most effective way to combat these issues is through effective speech therapy. Thanks to years of research, speech therapists at Norton KDH work with Parkinson's patients to improve vocal loudness, speech understanding, facial expressions and speech confidence.
Specialized programs use individualized sessions for a set period of time. Therapists also provide patients with take-home exercises and build through a progression of steps to achieve success. Therapists will establish a baseline for patients at the start of the program and help them maximize outcomes. The earlier patients start the process, the better the outcomes.