Introduction 

Does anybody around you suffer from Parkinson’s neurodegenerative disease (neuronal degeneration and death)? It impacts the 1M Yankee. It is most frequently observed in adults aged around 50. It is observed that patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease have low dopamine levels in the basal ganglia (a set of brain regions involved with movement, among other functions). Low levels of dopamine in the basal ganglia cause the death of dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia called the Substantia Nigra. Normally high levels of dopamine neurons are present in the substantia nigra. Still, Parkinson’s patients, in the late stages, lost more than half of the dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. 

The most common treatment for Parkinson’s involves an attempt to restore depleted dopamine levels in ganglia. Because dopamine does not cross the blood-brain barrier, dopamine cannot simply be administered to a patient.  Therefore, patients should be given a precursor to dopamine, most commonly L-DOPA. What does it do? It crosses the blood-brain barrier, and the brain uses it to synthesize more dopamine.  This can lead to the improvement of neuron degeneration in Parkinson’s patients, but L-DOPA does not completely stop the neuro-degeneration. Also, its long-term use has several side effects, including movement-related problems. So, it is not the cure for the disease, and other treatments are still being explored. 

Symptoms and Challenges   

I. Symptoms

Most observable symptoms are movement-related, including Tremors, bradykinesia, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, postural impairment (Loss of automatic movements), Speech changes, Writing changes, etc., and a combination of genetic and environmental factors are responsible for it. But the exact reasons for Parkinson’s are not understood. Symptoms at different stages observe different symptoms. 

Stages__ Hoehn and Yahr stages

Different patients experience different levels of Parkinson’s disease. Although diseases and symptoms vary among people, one can take an overview of the symptoms by understanding the stages. These changes are not speedy in patients, but they take more than 20 years to observe.

• Stage One: Patients just observe one-sided Tremors. Changes in posture, walking, and facial expression can occur.
• Stage Two: Tremors were observed on both sides of the body and maybe on the midline parts (like the neck and trunk). Small problems in walking or posture could occur.
• Stage Three: Disabilities like loss of balance and falls are mild to moderate. But patients can still walk alone.  
• Stage Four: This is the severe stage of Parkinson’s. However, patients can still walk without help but with a holder. Now, patients are unable to do their home chores alone.
• Stage Five: The most severe stage of Parkinson’s disease. The patient is unable to stand or walk alone. Patients stick to wheelchairs and need assistance in their functions. 

Ii. Challenges

Following are the challenges that PD patients can deal with: 

• Patients with Parkinson’s disease may face thinking dilemmas
• Anxiety and mood swings
• Dysphagia, biting problems
• Sleeplessness or Insomnia
• Urinary incontinence and constipation. 

The Role of Physical Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease

Goals of Physical Therapy

• Patients with Parkinson’s may face new challenges. physical therapy clinic nyc teach patients how to react to new symptoms and exercise safely.
• Patients with walking and posture problems can improve by learning these exercise methods.
• Patients are also at great risk of falls that can cause injuries. Physical therapists decrease this risk of falls.
• Physical exercise also helps to decrease joint pains. 

Benefits for Movement and Function

Johns Hopkins states that physical therapies can assist PD patients with flexibility, muscle strength, and balance improvement. Physical therapies can help them with the following:

• Increases PD patient’s strength
• Provide support to their muscles
• Helps to decrease muscle rigidity
• Helps in improving posture
• It decreases their freezing periods
• Educates PD patients on how to balance and organize in different situations.
• Helps to increase their elasticity
• Helps in Improving posture
• It decreases fall time
• Helps to reduce pain

Also, these exercises help the patients control depression, anxiety, fatigue, and Joint pain and refresh their minds. 

Physical Therapy Techniques for Parkinson’s

PD patients can improve flexibility, muscle strength, sense of balance, and independence problems by including physical therapies (Johns The following are a few physical therapy techniques for Parkinson’s patients.

• Balance Coordination Activities_ Fall problems are common in PD patients, especially when involved in multi-tasks. So, practicing multiple exercises at a time on your physiotherapist’s suggestion can improve this problem. 
• Stretching and Flexibility Exercises_ Stretching helps to improve flexibility( improves walking, bending, lifting) and reduces the stiffness of the body. 
• Strength Training_ Muscle strength is vital for being independent in daily tasks. PD patients often deal with this problem. Muscle strength can be improved by any means, including weightlifting or wearing resistance bands. 
• Amplitude Training is specifically designed to overcome bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and hypokinesia (small movements). It includes swinging arms and long steps, which helps with movement problems. 
• Reciprocal Patterns_ PD patients may face reciprocal movements. Physical exercises help them with training.

Advanced Physical Therapy Interventions

• Neuroprotection Training_ Physical activities and training are the simplest ways to fight PD.
• Inspiratory muscle training_ IMT helps to improve strength, functional capacities, and dyspnea.
• Strength training against external resistance_ It helps to improve Physical states and quality of life parameters in PD patients.
• Motor-cognitive dual-task training_ helps to improve motor functions in PD patients.
• Progressive resistance training (PRT) helps improve freezing gait, muscle strength, and physical and mental health. In it, patients try to repeat an exercise until they are fatigued. With time, the duration or strength of the exercise increases.

Movement Strategy pieces of training:

• Music-based movement therapy_ In this therapy, rhythmic movement is facilitated for patients with PD, helping to improve gait.  
• Robot-assisted gait technology_ As the name implies, robots improve gait. The outcomes of this technology are both positive plus negative.

Here is a future intervention plan for Parkinson’s patients, which will hopefully be evaluated in 2026:

Assessment of Dr Morley’s investigation tests

Objectives

• 1. He gathered data on gamification. It specifically focuses on increasing Parkinson’s patients’ physical activity.
• 2. He checked the response of patients at different levels of Parkinson’s.
• 3. He utilized digital health technologies like Fitbits.

Research design:

Morley’s study focuses on Veterans; he conducted tests on 85 veterans. Study protocols include a two-week baseline assessment, six weeks of gamification intervention, and a four-week follow-up period.

Methodology:

Morley surveyed the University of Pennsylvania by creating a health platform called ‘Way to Health.’ They tracked the patient’s activities and gamification program. For this, they were provided via mail with a Fitbit activity tracker and a Kinetograph Monitor. The aim was to assess their feasibility and response to gamification intervention and the connection between physical activity and motor symptoms.

Developing a Personalized Physical Therapy Plan

How often do you visit a physiotherapist? Physical therapies are not just required after an injury but are also helpful in many cases, like in Parkinson’s, to reduce the effects of the disease. Every patient experiences different symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 

Your physiotherapist assesses you and makes a plan according to your condition. He or she also helps you incorporate that plan into your routine. You must visit your physiotherapist once or twice; this will help you stay fit irrespective of different levels of disease.    

Integrating Physical Therapy into Daily Life

Do you want to start an exercise plan? Here are some tips:

• Go and visit a physiotherapist
• Don’t jump to difficult exercises; start with some easy ones and be consistent. With time, additions are required.
• If exercise classes for Parkinson’s patients are available around you, join them.
• Also, consult with your neurologist regarding the requirement.

To boost the brain, the following exercises could be adopted: meditation, Music therapy, doing math in your head, playing puzzles, board games and word games, and reading aloud. 

Final Analysis

Parkinson’s disease could be tremor Dominant, partial Instability Gait Difficulty, juvenile Parkinson’s, young onset Parkinson’s Disease, or late-onset Parkinson’s Disease. Identify the type of disease by consulting your doctor. Also, make sure about its stage. Do strictly stick to the medication prescribed by the doctor. Search medical care near me for Physiotherapists will help you to identify suitable exercises according to your stage of the disease. These exercises will help you overcome the effects of PD. Once you follow up on the routine, add something new to it. These are necessary to make the u jump late to the next stages. Don’t lose hope. Everything around you helps you to find yourself. Don’t take it on your nerves. Fight with it because you are the Ironman/Iron Lady. You can do it!

FAQs

How can I improve my movement with Parkinson’s?

It is necessary to walk and do low-intensity exercise to improve body movement and mobility. As a physical activity, you can do gardening. You can also do some other housework. 

What does physical therapy do for Parkinson’s disease?

 It is imperative to have physical therapy while you are suffering from Parkinson’s. Physical therapy increases your body’s mobility and enhances its strength and moderate balance.   

What are functional exercises for Parkinson’s disease?

Aerobic activities, agility, and balance training are considered functional exercises. Similarly, stretching and strength training are also considered functional exercises. 

What are the best mental exercises for Parkinson’s?

Any cognitively stimulating game or activity is the best mental exercise for Parkinson’s. This may include task sequencing or word association. You can also solve puzzles.

What is the main goal of therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

The primary purpose of Parkinson’s therapy is to control the symptoms. Although it can’t totally diminish the symptoms, it can leave you as long as possible. It improves your quality of life while decreasing the drug’s effects on your body. Or you can go to a family chiropractic clinic for the first time.