Imagine
living in a world where when you want to step forward a foot, you really step
forward a mere 6 inches. Every step you take is half the size of what you
expect but your brain can’t adjust and take a bigger step. It takes you twice
as long to walk anywhere, but you just can’t seem to speed up or take bigger
steps.
This
is a world people with Parkinson’s disease live in every day. Parkinson’s
Disease is a progressive neurological disease that primarily affects movement
control. The disease makes it hard for a person’s brain to connect what they
want to do with what their body actually does. This is called a sensorimotor
deficit. Other motor control symptoms of PD are tremors, small movements,
decreased balance, shuffled gait and stiffness. Medications and exercise can
improve motor control symptoms in many people. But there is only one program
that is specifically designed to address the motor control and sensorimotor
deficits in this progressive disease.
This
program is called the LSVT BIG program. It is based off the LSVT LOUD program
which is now the gold standard for treating voice impairments in people with
Parkinson’s Disease. This program has been researched and developed over the
past 25 years with funding from the National Institute of Health.
Research has shown that after completing the LSVT BIG program, people
demonstrate faster walking with bigger steps, improved balance, increased trunk
rotation, and improvements in activities of daily living such as bed
mobility.
So
what makes the BIG program so unique? It is an intense program that is
completed over 4 weeks. Each week consists of 4 one on one hour long sessions
with a physical or occupational therapist whom is a certified LSVT BIG
practitioner, daily homework and assignments. The program is customized to each
person’s needs and goals. Goals can be as simple as being able to stand up from
the couch without help to getting back to road biking 20 miles a day.
“I
got my life back”
“I
feel like I have purpose again”
People
who complete this program, are truly grateful for what they have learned and
how they have improved. With hard work and dedication, amazing things can
happen. Lives can be changed. Movement becomes the medicine.
It
is not an easy program to complete. It is intense and requires complete
dedication. People have said it takes over their lives for a month.
Exercises are performed two times a day, seven days a week. Each exercises
session takes about 30 minutes to complete. Once the program is finished,
people are encouraged to continue with the exercises one to two times a day for
the rest of their lives. The BIG program can be completed every year to
continually adjust exercises to allow for continued challenge and improvement.
Medicare and other insurances will typically cover the program.
Is
the LSVT BIG program for you? If you have Parkinson’s Disease, yes, it is for
you. No matter what your level of ability is, this program can be customized to
allow you to achieve your goals. Make an appointment to see your local LSVT BIG
certified therapist and learn how movement can be your medicine or call Agility
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine to speak with Jenna for any questions or
concerns.
Visit
the LSVT Global website for more information.
Dr.
Jenna Schauer, PT, DPT, CKTP
LSVTBig
Cert
Agility
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
(303)773-0771
http://yourhub.denverpost.com/blog/2017/03/enriching-lives-of-persons-with-parkinsons-disease/177813/
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