Living Well With Parkinson’s Starts With the Right Therapy
A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can bring many questions. Will walking become harder? Why is my voice getting quieter? Is there anything I can do to slow the progression of the disease?
Fortunately, the team at Rebound Physical Therapy has answers. We also offer speech and physical therapy, both of which are essential for managing Parkinson’s, since it’s a progressive neurological condition that can affect both movement and vocal quality. Let’s explore some of the ways our combined approach can help keep you independent for as long as possible.
Answering Your Questions About Parkinson’s Disease
Can physical therapy really help someone with Parkinson’s disease?
Yes. It’s actually an essential part of Parkinson’s care because it addresses the movement problems associated with the condition, such as slowed gait or tremors.
Parkinson’s disease develops when certain brain cells produce less dopamine, which helps coordinate smooth, automatic movement. As dopamine levels decrease, movements become smaller, slower, and stiffer.
While physical therapy can’t replace that lost dopamine, it does help the brain make better use of the movement pathways that remain. Regular therapy also supports motor learning, helping you maintain function and adapt to changes over time.
That’s why starting therapy early is so important: in many cases, it can help you stay active for longer.
What types of exercises are commonly included in physical therapy for Parkinson’s?
We personalize our care plans based on your needs, but most will include a combination of activities that improve mobility and everyday function, such as:
- Walking practice
- Mobility work
- Strengthening exercises
- Balance training
- Practice with functional activities such as standing up, reaching, and climbing stairs
- Dual-task training, which combines movement with thinking tasks to improve coordination
How does speech therapy help Parkinson’s disease?
While movement challenges are a major part of Parkinson’s disease, they aren’t the only concern. It can also change the muscles used for speaking, swallowing, and facial expression, which affects speaking ability. Most commonly, patients’ voices become softer over time.
As with physical therapy, speech therapy can’t undo the progression of Parkinson’s, but it can help improve communication by helping with:
- Speaking louder with less effort
- Clearer pronunciation
- Better breath support while talking
- Improved facial expression
- Conversation strategies for everyday situations
In some cases, the same muscle changes that affect speaking can also affect eating, drinking, and swallowing, particularly as the disease progresses. Speech therapy can also address those challenges as needed.
How do physical therapy and speech therapy work together?
Because Parkinson’s affects so many aspects of daily life, a team approach is often the most effective. At Rebound Physical Therapy, you have the added benefit of receiving multidisciplinary care in one clinic.
Essentially, our physical therapists focus on helping patients move safely and confidently, while our speech therapists address communication and swallowing concerns. Together, they help patients stay engaged in conversations, maintain independence, and continue participating in work, family activities, hobbies, and community life.
What is LSVT BIG and LOUD?
LSVT BIG and LOUD are specialized physical and speech therapy programs created specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease. Several of our therapists recently became certified in their unique, evidence-based approach.
LSVT BIG focuses specifically on the way Parkinson’s causes movements to become smaller, often without patients even realizing what’s happening. You’ll learn to use larger, more purposeful movements during daily activities through a blend of repetitive practice and guided feedback. This process helps the brain learn to recognize and maintain these larger movement patterns.
LSVT LOUD operates on the same principle, but focuses on helping you speak with a stronger, louder voice while improving speech clarity, facial expression, and overall communication. As with the BIG program, you’ll use repetitive vocal exercises to recalibrate how their brain perceives speaking effort.
Is it better to start therapy early or wait until symptoms worsen?
Earlier is generally better. Many movement changes begin long before they become obvious, so working with our team shortly after you receive your diagnosis can help you build strength, improve movement quality, and establish healthy movement habits before greater limitations develop.
Parkinson’s Doesn’t Have to Slow You Down
Living with Parkinson’s disease presents new challenges, but there are effective ways to maintain movement, communication, and independence. Physical therapy, speech therapy, and specialized programs like LSVT BIG can help you continue doing the activities that matter most.
Contact Rebound Physical Therapy today to learn more about how our approach might benefit you or a loved one.
Parkinson’s: Strengthening Your Body, Voice & Confidence
Join Dr. Dalton Sporing, DPT, and JP. Alters, SLP for a free educational workshop designed to help you better understand Parkinson’s disease and learn practical strategies for maintaining independence, mobility, and confidence.
- Do you have trouble being heard in a group setting?
- Changes in speech clarity and communication?
- Do you feel unsteady on your feet or worry about falling?
- Is getting up from a chair more difficult than it used to be?
Join us for a FREE workshop to learn:
- How speech therapy can help you speak with a stronger, clearer voice and communicate with confidence.
- The early signs, common symptoms and progression of Parkinson’s disease and what to expect.
- Practical ways to maintain your independence, mobility and quality of life.
- How physical and speech therapy work together to manage Parkinson’s symptoms so you can enjoy everyday activities.
5220 SW 17th
Topeka, KS 66604
Dr. Dalton Sporing, DPT
JP. Alters, SLP
Seating is limited.
Light refreshments will be served.
Discover the Best Treatment for Lasting Pain Relief!
Join Dr. Brooke Balestrieri, DPT for a free educational workshop and discover how physical therapy can help you reduce pain, improve movement, and avoid unnecessary medications, injections, and surgery.
- Has pain stopped you from doing the things you enjoyed?
- Do you wake up with back, neck or joint pains often?
- Are you frustrated with medications or injections that only provide temporary relief?
- Are you looking for an effective alternative to surgery?
Join us for a FREE workshop to learn:
- What causes pain and why it persists.
- The leading cause of everyday aches and pains.
- Simple, effective strategies to reduce pain and prevent future flare-ups.
- How physical therapy can help you move better, hurt less, and help you avoid unnecessary medications, injections, and surgery.
911B S. Parker Street
Olathe, KS 66061
Dr. Brooke Balestrieri, DPT
Seating is limited.
Light refreshments will be served.
Get Game-Ready for the Upcoming Fall Sports Season
As summer winds down, athletes and weekend warriors look forward to the start of the fall sports season. Whatever sport you are getting ready for, preparing your body is essential.
Sports Screening
Consider getting a biomechanical assessment to provide insights into your posture, gait, and body mechanics, helping you tweak your training for better performance and lower injury risk.
Sport-Specific Conditioning
Prepare your body for the unique demands of your chosen sport. Different sports use different muscle groups, so tailor your workouts accordingly.
Prioritize Recovery
Getting proper rest (sleep) is a critical but often overlooked aspect of physical training. Incorporating foam rolling can help muscles recover and prevent overuse injuries. Investing time and effort in your recovery can significantly impact your performance on the field.
Healthy Green Goddess Chicken Salad
When in doubt, chicken salad is the perfect solution to the question "what's for lunch?" This fresh, herb-packed recipe comes together in minutes and is ideal for healthy lunches or meal prep throughout the week.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup light mayo
- 1/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 4 oz avocado
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 fresh scallions, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 cooked chicken breasts (rotisserie works great)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Directions
- Add the mayo, Greek yogurt, avocado, white wine vinegar, lemon zest and juice, garlic, dill, basil, scallions, and kosher salt to a food processor.
- Blend until the mixture forms a thick, creamy, and smooth dressing.
- Shred the cooked chicken into a large bowl and stir in the diced red onion.
- Pour the Green Goddess dressing over the chicken.
- Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for an easy, protein-packed meal prep lunch.
Our Patients Get Results
"In 2017, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. There is a lot of difficulty associated with this disease. One of the most difficult aspects for me was not being able to sing. For most of my adult life, I enjoyed a music ministry, and I sang and shared about the goodness of God. Parkinson's hindered my ability to do that. I also experienced cognitive disconnect and by the end of the workday, was making errors and could barely speak. My doctor recommended speech therapy and I began to work with J.P. Walters, an excellent Speech Therapist, who taught me diaphragmatic breathing, and how to set reminder on my phone to make sure I was doing it. He gave me ideas and exercises that helped with singing, speaking and cognitive decline, all in such kind, positive manner. Today, my singing and speaking are greatly improved. I work crossword puzzles and word searches. And, I'm speaking loud enough that even my hard-of-hearing husband is able to hear and understand me. " - Margo
"First I want to Thank Brooke and her team for all the help they've given me. Walking is getting so much easier, and my knees are so much better. All the exercises they have helped me with will continue to keep me getting better. Thanks to Rebound and everyone. - Deana
PAW-SIBILITIES with "Dogtor" Oliver
Top Secret: The Hoomans Work for Me 🐾
Hi hoomans,
Dogtor Oliver here, reporting for extremely classified, totally hush-hush business.
I've completed a thorough investigation (approximately three minutes of sniffing and one kibble break), and I'm finally ready to reveal the truth...
The hoomans?
They work for me.
Yes. I said it. And now I shall explain.
- 🐾 Snack Distribution Protocol. Hoomans exist to provide snacks on command. I simply walk into a room, make eye contact, and—boom—treats appear. This is not coincidence. This is employment.
- 🐾 Door Operations Management. If I stand near a door, a hooman must open it. If I stand near another door, they must open that one too. My mobility is their responsibility. I supervise their performance daily.
- 🐾 Ear-Scratching Department. My ears require regular maintenance. Hoomans are assigned to this task. They must scratch until I am satisfied. If they stop too soon, I simply stare until they remember their job. Works every time.
- 🐾 Cuddle Compliance. When I flop dramatically onto the couch, hoomans must adjust their schedules immediately. Meetings? Cancelled. Laundry? Delayed. I require snuggles, and they must comply.
- 🐾 Kibble-Flavored Secrets. Behind the scenes, I run the entire household. I choose the nap locations. I determine when walks occur. I decide which toys stay in rotation. The hoomans think they're in charge...but trust me, I've seen their performance reviews.
So there you have it. The truth is officially out. The hoomans work for me, and honestly...they're doing a pretty good job.
Stay pawsitive (and keep the snacks flowing),
– Dogtor Oliver 🐾