The goal for patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is to stay active. “We want you to become mobile and stay mobile. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder, so it’s very important that you continue to move,” said Janice Smeigh, a physical therapist with Lee Health.
Smeigh works with patients to help them maintain their balance and mobility. “There are some exercises you can do to improve your mobility at home and to decrease your fall risk and to increase your strength,” she said.
Falls are a common problem for patients. “We want to improve your balance and prevent the chance of you losing your balance. We’ll teach you how to get up off the floor in case you do have a fall,” said Smeigh.
Physical therapy can teach patients how to get up and down easier, how to transfer easier and how to maintain their strength while walking. “We work on straggling as well as freezing. Freezing is very common. That’s where your feet feel like they are glued. So we work on different ways to try to unfreeze quickly,” she explained.
It’s also important for caregivers to learn how to keep patients mobile. “We always recommend the caregiver comes as well so we can help to teach them different exercises and different motivation techniques,” said Smeigh.
Mobility signs and symptoms can actually present later in the diagnosis. “Most people actually have non-motor signs first. So decrease smell or bad dreams, and usually, the non-motor signs come 10 to 15 years before the motor signs.
Keeping the patient moving and strong can help delay the progression of symptoms.
https://youtu.be/vORN7geTIAE
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/37965858/health-matters-keep-moving-with-parkinsons
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