Parkinson’s Rehabilitation Program

You can feel better, move better and improve your quality of life. Our therapists have been trained through the Neurofit Networks Exercise 4 Brain Change ™ Program, and focus on creating neuroplastic changes by employing specific movement patterns. Recent research indicates that certain exercises may slow, stop, or reverse Parkinson’s disease progression by slowing neuronal degeneration and changing neural function to compensate or restore function.

A session with our therapists trained in the Exercise4BrainChange ™ approach includes:

·         Prepare your system for acquiring skill

·         Activate your body for maximal muscle activation

·         Reflect internally in order to recognize the effort required in order to self- correct

·         Motivate through empowerment – you can improve with exercise!

A few things to consider:

·         Don’t wait – the earlier you start after diagnosis, the better the response

·         Lack of activity contributes to more degeneration

·         The type of exercises you do matters – specific training to your deficits is important

·         You need to work beyond your preferred level of effort and energy expenditure

·         Don’t stop – a continuous and ongoing program is needed to maintain your gains

Resources:

Canning CG, Ada L, Woodhouse E. Multiple-task walking training in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease: A pilot study. Clin Rehab 2008;22:226-233.

Farley BG, Koshland GF. Training BIG to move faster: The application of the speed-amplitude relation as a rehabilitation strategy for people with Parkinson’s disease. Exp Brain Res 2005;167(3):462-467.

Farley BG, Fox CM, Ramig LO, McFarland D. Intensive amplitude-specific therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s disease: Toward a neuroplasticity-principled rehabilitation model. Top Geriatr Rehabil 2008;24(2):99-114.

Farley, BG. Developing Parkinson’s specific exercise programs. J active aging 2004; Sept/Oct:22.