Physical Therapy and Parkinson’s

In this episode of our Live Well Today webinar series, Anson Rosenfeldt, DPT, discusses how physical therapy can help people with Parkinson’s live well today.



0:00 - Introduction
2:01 - What is physical therapy?
4:00 - Physical therapy, Parkinson’s and your care team
6:50 - When should someone seek care from a Physical Therapist?
10:17 - Are all physical therapists able to work with people with Parkinson’s?
14:06 - What information should people with Parkinson’s provide and ask of their physical therapist?
18:12 - What exercises can help with Parkinson’s Symptoms?
28:07 - How does the need for physical therapy change as Parkinson’s progresses?
36:10 - How do you help with motivation and monitoring progress?
40:07 - What is the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?
42:23 - What are the benefits of massage and acupuncture?
43:46 - ON and OFF periods and physical therapy
45:21 - What can you recommend for dyskinesia?
46:35 - What are some success stories?
50:40 - How often should someone see a physical therapist?
51:51 - Conclusion

[bethroundell]

I had chronic low iron yrs ago. Loss of blood was due to a 20 inch tumor in bowel. Removed 19 lymp nodes & 20 plus inches of lower bowel. Followed with 11 of 12 chemo treatments. That started in Dec 2012, surgery Jan 2013 taught 2013. I am a 11 year survivor of colon cancer. Participated in a 10 year study of patients who increased physical therapy/activity. Unfortunately this was pages of questions not any actual exercise or physical therapy or even instructions. PD diagnosed July 2023.
I'm sure I need magnesium, B12, low iron. Hair loss. I did not realize I was in for the pain in movement, like getting up from furniture. Pain from knitting, sewing, etc.

[kevinayres]

Thank you for this. I have been going to PT for 18 months now, started out twice a week then after 6 months once a week. I have helped educate them on Parkinson's and what I learn from you all and the Parkinson's foundation. My Neurologist has also began watching the programs and exercise classes. I was diagnosed right before the covid lock down then had a stroke 19 months ago. That motivated me to go to PT and my family member and myself have noticed lots of improvement. You can't even tell I had a stroke and I manage my Parkinson's much better with the pain, freezing, and balance issues. Thank you for all you do.

[splashesin]

After awhile it becomes writing time sheets about the time sheet writing time. There's only a limited amount of "on" hours to begin with. This accounting project, along with several other accounting projects 24/7 has snowballed into a dangerous trend in just the last few years.

It can't help but add to the anxiety of what is not getting done, in the "off" times which are not really off times for the brain, unable to be at ease while the body is putting it into downtime from sheer fatigue. It's a bit of a vicious cycle. There's either time to do, the activity, or just only time to account for time spent accounting for time doing the activity. That's a lot of teeth brushing and showering that could, and needs, to be happening. 😅 I've realized in order to be more healthy, and just survive, often I'm going to have to play hooky from the multiple redundancy of time sheets upon time sheets creation, for more quality time. This is not aimed specifically at anyone. This is just me being mindful about trying to take back at least 40 of the 80 waking hours I spend per week having to redundantly explain and account for myself, that really needs to be devoted to more health and hygiene, both mentally and physically. Guess it's part of my resolution to take back a chunk of my life, in lieu of defending it.

[kitkat]

I am not sure if you can answer this question. But I've tried very hard to find a PDPT reasonably close to my home and have had no luck. I found one and they state that they only do the hand and upper body and not the bottom part legs and foots and movement. Do you happen to have a suggestion for that?

[lisamartin]

It's so expensive, my insurance paid $145 per visit, 3 times a week, but they won't pay for my gym at $27.00 per Month?? It's frustrating, the way the insurance values the PT, but not a gym!!!!