Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition whereby the brain becomes progressively damaged over many years. Problems with movement arise due to the death of cells in the brain that generate dopamine. The cause of cell death is unknown.
The three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are: tremor, slow movement, and stiff muscles. This may cause one to have difficulty walking and carrying out everyday tasks such as going up and down the stairs, getting in and out of bed, standing up from the chair and more.
Neuro physio plays a very important role for people with Parkinson’s. If certain movements are difficult, a physiotherapist can teach you a different way of doing things. They can also assess you for an equipment or aid in your house to help you maintain your independence and improve your quality of life.
When moving becomes difficult, you may be at higher risk of falling. Physiotherapists can work with you to strengthen your muscles, train your balance, work on your posture, which helps improve confidence. They can also teach you how to get up from the floor if you fall.
Pain is very much associated with Parkinson’s, whether it is joint pain, muscle spasms or nerve pain. Your physiotherapist can assess your pain to determine the cause and will use appropriate treatment methods to give you some pain relief. This may include exercises; manual hands on therapy with the Bobath technique, massage techniques, acupuncture, and provide advice and education to yourself, your family and your carer. Your physiotherapist will also devise you a home exercise programme and will monitor your progress.