Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system. This impacts all the areas of the body that nerves control. Although individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may see minimal symptoms initially, such as a tiny tremor once in a while in one hand, as the disease progresses, the symptoms become more challenging, including stiffness, major tremors and movement slowing. Physical therapy New Jersey can help manage this disease.
Physical Therapy Evaluations for Parkinson’s Disease
When individuals receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis, their physician should suggest physical therapy. The therapist will evaluate their posture, balance and coordination. They will watch for movement challenges, including walking. The patients’ strength, flexibility and endurance receive an evaluation. Finally, they will test their patients’ coordination.
Then, therapists customize treatments to help their patients move freely in their homes. They focus on giving them the ability to perform their everyday activities as well as physical activities.
Working on Balance and Daily Routines
One of the challenges that people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease struggle with is balance. They also find it difficult to complete their daily routines. Therapists encourage their patients to complete aerobic exercise, which slows their physical decline. However, they also start with standing exercises. They focus on walking and agility training.
They customize exercises so their patients improve their gait and balance as well as their mobility, allowing them to continue with their daily routines. However, they add task-specific training that also helps.
Movement Training
When individuals with Parkinson’s diagnoses search for physical therapy near me, they should look for clinics that focus on movement training. This type of training improves movements, such as standing from a sitting position on a chair or the floor and turning smoothly. Therapists also focus on proper movements to improve balance and gait.
Working on Strength and Flexibility
Physical therapy for Parkinson’s promotes strength and resistance training to build muscles that support motor functions. The exercises get progressively more difficult to help delay physical or motor challenge severity. The increased muscle mass also protects their bones and improves balance.
These therapies also focus on increasing their patients’ range of movement. Clinicians use stretching and other exercises to help their patients gain or retain their flexibility.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
The customized plan these individuals receive should help improve their overall fitness. It will give them added strength and flexibility. They will learn to get in and out of bed and chairs and off the floor. They will also manage movement more effectively, even turning over while they are in bed.
These individuals should find it easier to walk. Their increased balance and coordination reduce their risk of tripping and falling. They can also improve their stair-climbing abilities. They will navigate curbs and other obstacles more smoothly. Finally, they will learn efficient ways to manage their daily tasks one task at a time.
Although Parkinson’s disease does not have a cure, undergoing physical therapy near me can help those with a diagnosis to help them delay disease progression and better manage their lives. Finding a reputable physical therapy clinic is the first step.