Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's disease is the most common). It is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra of the basal ganglia. The cause is unknown and is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 

There are different types of parkinsonism.

• Primary Parkinsonism or Parkinson's disease is the most common cause of Parkinsonism. 
• Secondary Parkinsonism such as drug-induced Parkinsonism or vascular Parkinsonism. 
• Atypical Parkinsonism, such as Multiple system atrophy (MSA), corticalbasal degeneration (CBD), and Dementia with Lewey bodies. 

Movement symptoms:

• Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
• Truncal rigidity 
• Resting tremor 
• Drooling 
• Dizziness 
• Postural instability or balance issues
• Trouble with moving and walking 

Non-movement symptoms 

• Anxiety
• Apathy
• Breathing difficulties 
• Cognitive changes 
• Dementia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Hallucination
• Loss of smell
• Pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Small handwriting 
• Speech & swallowing difficulties 
• Urinary incontinence
• Vision changes 

Physical therapy can help maintaining function and slowing down the disease progression. A physical therapist can help with: 

• Improve and maintain fitness level, strength and flexibility 
• Develop effective strategies for getting in and out bed, transferring between surfaces, getting in and out of a car, 
• Changing directions while walking without freezing. 
• Improve smoothness of walking 
• Improve balance to decrease risk of falling 
• Improve ability to climb stairs and walk on uneven terrains
• Perform more than one tasks at a time 
• Recommendation of community based exercise and wellness programs 

Dr. Nguyen is a Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) certified therapist. 

Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) is a movement based program that specifically target the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease: posture, truncal rigidity, weight shifting and stepping ability through big amplitude movements. PWR! Moves are designed to help clients move bigger and faster. All exercises are done in functional positions: laying down, hands and knees, sitting and standing. All exercises are functional and full body.