Parkinson's Disease Therapy

Parkinson's disease is caused by a lack of a chemical in the brain called dopamine. The lack of the chemical causes tremors, slowed motions, rigid muscles, speech difficulties and loss of balance. Therapy for Parkinson's disease may help improve muscle tone and flexibility and maintain activity levels.

Physical Therapy

• Physical therapy for Parkinson's disease will involve exercises to increase muscle strength to improve balance and coordination. Exercises may include walking, swimming, golf and dancing, depending on the patient's abilities. Stretching and strengthening exercises will be included to aid in flexibility, circulation and muscle tone. Training exercises for posture and balance can improve walking ability.

Occupational Therapy

• Occupational therapy provides treatment in areas such as adapting to handwriting aids, cooking, eating and dinnerware aids, bathtub and toilet accessory use and home modification. Other therapy may involve learning to use a wheelchair or mechanical walker and how to get the most accomplished despite your energy level.

Nutrition

• Nutrition is an important part of keeping the patient with Parkinson's disease in general good health. Healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods to help with constipation are good to have on hand. Plenty of liquids can keep the digestive tract moving.

Speech

• Parkinson's disease can affect speech, and in advanced Parkinson's the patient may drool because of not swallowing often enough. Voice and modification therapy involves using shorter sentences and learning breathing techniques. Swallowing more often may help with drooling, as will taking smaller bites of food.

Benefits

• Physical, occupational and speech therapy benefit the patient by allowing him to function without aid for as long as possible. Each patient declines at a different pace, so your doctor will be able to advise on which exercise treatments are best for you.

Solution

• Removing rugs or obstacles around the house to prevent falls will reduce the risk of injury to the Parkinson's disease patient. Install railings in the bathroom, hallways and stairways to avoid the risk of falling. Velcro to close shirts instead of buttons and fasteners on shoes instead of laces can help those with Parkinson's remain independent for as long as possible.