What is parkinson’s disease and Advanced Neuro physiotherapy for parkinson's disease
Parkinson’s disease is a condition where a part of your brain deteriorates, causing more severe symptoms like difficulties in movement ,Slowness in action ,tremor e.t.c. While this condition is best known for how it affects muscle control, balance and movement, it can also cause a wide range of other effects on your senses, thinking ability, mental health and more.
Some early sign of parkinson’s diseases you can identify like
Slow movement : also known as Bradykinesia , this can make it difficult to start the movement to do every day task. Like initiating to stand after sitting for a longer duration.
Muscle Stiffness : Muscle stiffness for parkinson’s called rigidity, this can cause severe tightness of muscles ,making it difficult to move around and make facial expressions.
Tremors : Tremors usually begging with hand or arm called peripheral tremor , at severe stage patient can have central body tremor or trunk while changing posture (eg. while initiate standing from sitting position)
Small Handwriting : Letters may be smaller or crowded together .
Loss of smell : Patients may no longer smell certain foods very well .
Soft and slurred speech : Patients' voices may be very soft or sound breathy or hoarse.
Depression and anxiety : One of most commonest symptoms for parkinson’s patients as he / she losing confidence on themself to do their daily activities
Stages of Parkinson’s Disease ;
To classify the severity of symptoms,parkinson’s disease divided into 5 stages according to Hoen and Yehan Rating Scales
Stage 1:
Stage 1 is the mildest form of Parkinson’s. At this stage, there may be symptoms, but they’re not severe enough to interfere with daily tasks and
overall lifestyle. In fact, the symptoms are so minimal at this stage that they’re often missed. But family and friends may notice changes in your posture, walk, or facial expressions.
Stage 2:
Stage 2 is considered a moderate form of Parkinson’s, and the symptoms are much more noticeable than those experienced in stage 1. Stiffness, tremors, and trembling may be more noticeable, and changes in facial expressions can occur.
Stage : 3
Stage 3 is the middle stage in Parkinson’s, and it marks a major turning point in the progression of the disease. Many of the symptoms are the same as those in stage 2. However, you’re now more likely to experience loss of balance and decreased reflexes. Your movements become slower overall. This is why falls become more common in stage 3.
Stage 4:
Independence separates people with stage 3 Parkinson’s from those with stage 4. During stage 4, it’s possible to stand without assistance. However, movement may require a walker or other type of assistive device.
Stage : 5
Stage 5 is the most advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease. Advanced stiffness in the legs can also cause freezing upon standing, making it impossible to stand or walk. People in this stage require wheelchairs, and they’re often unable to stand on their own without falling. Around-the-clock assistance is required to prevent falls.
Aims of Modern Neuro Physiotherapy treatment for Parkinsoin’s disease:
To decrease stiffness of the body.
Increased movement control and coordination during walking and standing
Increased self confidence.
Improving rhythmic movement pattern of the body.
Increased endurance
Increased Balance control while walking.
Decrease Medicine dependency.
Boosting lungs capacity.
Improving quality of life and self dependency.
What is the basic difference between orthodox physiotherapy treatment and modern Neuro physiotherapy treatment for Parkinson’s patient:
Involvement of brain activity in neuro physiotherapy treatment is a most prominent and primary difference form general physiotherapy.
In neuro physiotherapy , patients have to perform all exercises with a lot of judgments , attention and calculation along with using reflexes
Which helps in building a re-connection more efficiently between muscles and brain.
Various mode of Modern Neuro physiotherapy treatment for Parkinson’s patient:
Amplitude Training
A specific form of physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease is called LSVT BIG training. (LSVT is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. LSVT LOUD is therapy to amplify the voice.) “It’s meant to help patients with Parkinson’s increase what we call ‘amplitude of movement,’” says Padilla-Davidson. In LSVT BIG, you make overexaggerated physical movements, like high steps and arm swings. It’s a way to retrain the muscles and slow down the progression of hypokinesia, the increasingly smaller, more shuffling movements that happen with Parkinson’s. Ask your doctor or physical therapist about LSVT BIG.
Reciprocal Patterns
Reciprocal movements are side-to-side and left-to-right patterns, such as swinging your arms while taking steps as you walk. Parkinson’s disease may affect these patterns. Your therapist may help you reinforce reciprocal patterns by the use of a recumbent bicycle (a stationary bike in which you sit in a reclined position) or elliptical machine (in which you use your arms and legs). On your own, says Padilla-Davidson, “Practice walking, keeping in mind the swinging of your arms. It may help to chant or sing to keep the rhythm.” Dance classes and tai chi are also useful.
Balance Work
Normal balance, explains Padilla-Davidson, is an interplay among what you see (visual feedback), your inner ear (which helps you orient yourself) and how your feet sense the ground beneath them. Parkinson’s disease can affect this balance system, making your gait (how you walk) unstable, which in turn may make you fearful to be in public or crowded spaces and in various obstacles( eg. from broad to narrow) . Gait training (practice walking) can help. Exercises that aim to improve balance should be guided by a physical therapist, who can work with you to understand any issues with balance and teach you ways to compensate.
Stretching and Flexibility
It’s common for patients with Parkinson’s disease to develop tight hip flexor, hamstring and calf muscles. To counteract that stiffness, it’s best to stretch at frequent intervals throughout the day, rather than just once, says Padilla-Davidson. Ask a qualified trainer or therapist who specialises in Parkinson’s to show you how.
Strength Training
Muscles naturally weaken with age, so strength training is important for everyone. But research suggests that muscle weakness is a bigger problem for patients with Parkinson’s disease, says Padilla-Davidson. Depending on what stage of the disease you are in, a therapist might have you do resistance exercises with light dumbbells or a resistance band (a kind of thick rubber band). Pool-based classes, using the water’s resistance to strengthen muscles, can also be a good fit, she says.
Neurobic Exercises:
Neurobic exercises is a type of brain boosting exercises .The neurobic exercise concept was postulated by Katz and Rubin . It is a form of brain exercise designed to help keep the brain healthy and active. This exercise is distinct from other types of brain exercises. It involves non-routine or unexpected experiences using various combinations of the five physical and emotional senses. Neurobic exercise helps improve nerve impulses and the linkage between various brain data. Moreover, this exercise helps stimulate neurons to produce neurotrophins that have chemical effects on nerve cell growth, improve nerve fibre branch and reduce nerve cell degeneration. As a result, neurobic exercise can stimulate other parts of the brain, help prevent the decline in memory performance, and maintain a continuing level of memory performance.
Dance Therapy:
Dance therapy can help parkinson’s patient in many way including
Motor and non-motor symptoms
Dance therapy can help with balance, coordination, gait, mobility, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and digestive complications.
Mental health
Dance therapy can help improve mood, motivation, and enjoyment. It can also help reduce fear of falling by practising position changes in a controlled environment.
Confidence
Dance therapy can help people with Parkinson's feel more confident to move more freely.
Sense of freedom
Dance therapy can help people with Parkinson's feel a sense of freedom from some of the physical and mental aspects of the condition
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