Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. It is caused by a lack of dopamine production in the brain. Dopamine acts as a messenger between the parts of the brain and the nervous system that helps control and co-ordinate body movements. Low levels of dopamine affect the ability to control and co-ordinate movement. Dopamine also plays a role in memory, mood, motivation and sleep.
Symptoms develop slowly over a number of years and the progression of symptoms varies from person to person.
There are 40 symptoms of Parkinson’s and not everyone will experience the same symptoms.
The 3 main symptoms of Parkinson’s are: tremor, bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and rigidity (muscle stiffness).
Physiotherapy has been shown to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s and can also help improve:
strength
balance and gait
reduce risk of falls
manage pain and stiffness; and
provide strategies to manage freezing.
Current research shows that exercise plays an important part in slowing progression of Parkinson’s symptoms and current guidelines recommend 2.5 hours per week of exercise to achieve a better quality of life. The earlier after diagnosis that a person with Parkinson’s is seen the more beneficial it is. However, physiotherapy can be useful at all stages of the condition and improvements can still be made with the right therapy.
The physiotherapists at GCP are trained to assess and treat Parkinson’s, targeting treatment to meet each individual's specific impairments and goals. We offer a range of treatment options including:
individualised treatment sessions
1: 1 exercise programs; and
a range of exercise groups.
If you need help managing your Parkinson’s symptoms or need advice on increasing your physical activity levels, call any of our clinics to discuss the options best suited to you.
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