What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition, resulting from the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurones in the basal ganglia, deep in the lower region of the brain. The role of the basal ganglia is to orchestrate the performance of well-learnt, voluntary and semi-automatic motor skills and movement sequences. Dopamine also contributes to other processes, such as maintaining and switching focus of attention, problem solving and decision making.
Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease
A variety of services for treatment and rehabilitation of both the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are available. Clinical guidelines suggest a multi-disciplinary approach is key in the management of Parkinson’s, therefore we work very closely with other health care professionals.
As each individual responds differently to the condition, our specialised physiotherapists aim to individualise treatment. Some of the physiotherapy treatments we offer can help to:
- Reduce rigidity and improve posture through stretching and postural re-education
- Increase speed and amplitude of movements through muscle strengthening and mobilisation exercises
- Teach 'cueing strategies' which will help a great deal with the quaity of movement
- Increase mobility through assessment of different mobility aids
- Reduce muscle stiffness, spasms and pain through stretching programmes
- Reduce postural instability and balance problems through core stability exercises and balance training
- Reduce the risk of falls through balance work, gait re-education and strengthening
- Increase functional independence and quality of life
- Advice on fatigue management
- Combine stretching, aerobic exercise, strengthening, tai chi and relaxation techniques through weekly exercise classes
Our specialist OT’s aim to improve areas of personal care, work or leisure that are becoming difficult. This can be achieved through:
- Functional activities independently or in groups
- Cognitive measures to assist with memory difficulties
- Assessment of function in your own environment and establish any needs for equipment, adaptations, or further rehabilitation
- Hand therapy including splinting and exercise programmes
- Assessment and treatment of cognitive deficits
- Strategies to improve problem-solving abilities and memory
- Handwriting techniques and adaptive equipment
Speech and Language Therapy:
About 70-80% of people with Parkinson’s Disease experience difficulty with excess saliva and swallowing. Many people with Parkinson’s find difficulty with the volume, tone and pitch of their voice and often speech becomes much quieter as a result. Our specialist speech and language therapist may be able to help you through:
- Training for family and carers on how to communicate with someone with dysphasia
- Lee Silverman Voice Treatment: our speech therapists are some of the few trained clinicians in the UK, able to provide this effective treatment to improve speech in people with Parkinson's Disease
- Advice on communication aids
- Treatment at the centre or in your own home
Our clinical neuropsychologists can help to provide:
- Detailed assessment of a clients’ functioning in particular their cognition, behaviour and emotional state
- Advice, consultation, teaching and supervision to other professionals as well as family and carers
- Management and advice for anxiety and changes in mood
For people with Parkinson’s Disease, our specialist orthotist, working with the team can help by designing and fitting orthoses to best compliment your treatment and rehabilitation. These include:
- Orthotics to prevent foot drop and aid walking
- Insoles to improve alignment, proprioception and gait
- Alterations to shoes to assist with leg length discrepancies,alignment and improve mobility
We run several exercise groups for Parkinson's, click here for details.
- Physiotherapy can help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s, says NICE - Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Download the Giving Voice Speech and Language Parkinson's factsheet here.
- Download the National Parkinson Foundation factsheet here.
- "Wearing off" - European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA)
- Parkinson's UK
- Parkinson's.Me Charity