An Innovative Program for Parkinson’s Patients
Are you or someone you love living with Parkinson’s disease? This progressive neurological disorder causes a range of symptoms affecting your overall movement and mobility. LSVT BIG is a physical and occupational therapy program that helps train you to move better.
LSVT BIG grew out of another program, LSVT LOUD, that was designed to help Parkinson’s patients improve their speaking ability. BIG uses the same principles as LOUD, with the primary goal being to help patients “recalibrate” their motor skills to maintain function and independence for longer.
Proven effective and personalized to your needs, LSVT BIG encourages you to think big–and our team is here to help! Call our clinic for more information.
How Parkinson’s Affects Movement
Parkinson’s disease develops in stages, with each stage affecting mobility in different ways:
- Stage 1: Tremors and minor changes in posture or walking ability that don’t typically affect day-to-day life.
- Stage 2: Symptoms worsen, including tremors and rigidity (tightness in the body). You may notice that your arm or leg movements become smaller.
- Stage 3: Previous motor symptoms worsen, and movement becomes even smaller. You may adopt a shuffling gait that impairs balance and increases fall risk.
- Stage 4: Motor symptoms have fully developed. While you can still stand and walk, you will typically require a mobility aid to do so safely.
- Stage 5: The most advanced stage. Rigidity will be severe enough that you will be unable to stand or walk.
One of the benefits of LSVT BIG is that it can help people at all stages of the condition. That said, it’s most effective for people at stages 1, 2, and 3 (early to mid-stage Parkinson’s). Our progressive, systematic approach helps you both manage your current symptoms and slow their progression, giving you more time to remain fully independent.
What’s Involved with LSVT BIG
LSVT BIG’s name comes from its focus on helping you make your movements bigger. Doing this will allow you to move more easily, improve your balance, and reduce your risk of falling.
How do we help “embiggen” your movements? By training you to recognize what bigger movements feel like. We guide you through specific activities (such as getting up from the couch or walking across the room), using repetition and feedback to help you recalibrate how you perceive the size of your movements versus how big they actually are.
Our team in Hutchinson, East Wichita, Northeast Wichita, South Wichita, West Wichita, Augusta, and Derby, KS can work with you to improve both gross motor skills (like walking and balance) and fine motor skills (any activities involving your fingers and hands, such as brushing your teeth). This helps ensure you can perform all daily activities for as long as possible.
With personalized training at Physical Therapy By Phoenix, you can see improvements in your mobility. Request an appointment today to learn more!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!