News : Parkinson's Disease
Parkinsons' disease open day- Are you a PD Warrior?
Exercise is medicine for people with Parkinson's disease. Our program is based on the principles of LSVT BIG and is the only centre in Australia offering this progressive style of exercise for Parkinson's disease. The program is a whole body, intensive exercise program that includes strength, flexibility, balance, fitness and amplitude style exercises....and most importantly.....it is great FUN!
Categories: Parkinson's Disease
Cognitive problems in Parkinson's disease
For many people living with Parkinson's, changes in thinking skills can accompany motor changes, underpinned by many of the same dopamine-dependent neural processes. The changes in cognitive function can include reductions in mental flexibility, problem solving and speed of processing, as well as visual spatial deficits and short term memory problems. These can all contribute to reduced quality of life and function (including ability to work, manage finances and drive), as well as carer strain and burnout.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Physiotherapy
Remote Training for People with Parkinson’s Disease – where there is a will there is a way!
Do you have Parkinson's disease and live regionally? We support many people who do not live in Sydney through independent assessments, program development and teleconference/video conference feedback.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Falls prevention program, Physiotherapy
Dual Task training in people with Parkinson’s Disease
Difficulty performing more than one task at a time is a common and disabling problem experienced by people with Parkinson disease (PD). If asked to perform another task when walking, people with PD often take shorter steps or walk more slowly. There is uncertainty amongst physiotherapists about whether clinicians should teach people with PD to avoid dual tasking or whether they should encourage them to practice dual tasking with the hope that practice will lead to enhanced performance.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Physiotherapy
New genetic research into Parkinson’s may yield new insights into treatment techniques.
A recent article reports that a team of scientists in the
Categories: Media Release, Parkinson's Disease, Physiotherapy
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Parkinson's disease is on the rise
There has been much interest in the clinic this week regarding the article printed in Body and Soul on Nov 27th about the rise of Parkinson's disease in Australia. I think it is great that awareness of the condition is being promoted in the broader print media because it is such a common neurological condition, and one that we see regularly in the clinic. It is however quite disheartening to read the article and see no reference to the significant benefits of exercise in managing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. If we are going to raise awareness of the condition, surely we should also be raising awareness about effective management stategies that are not just limited to medications.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Falls prevention program, Physiotherapy
The Latest Technology- Can It Assist or Does It Just Make Life a Little More Difficult?
Computers, Digital Cameras, Mobile Phones, Smart Photos, iPads – these are just some of latest technologies we use every day. Making phone calls, checking emails and using the internet are everyday activities which happen at our fingers tips. But what happens if you have an injury or illness which affects your ability to use technology?
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Home based rehabilitation, Occupational therapy, Polio Clinic, Spinal Cord Injury, Physiotherapy
Parkinson's Disease: you can get better!
At diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, most of the cells producing Dopamine have been destroyed. As the disease progresses, more and more of these cells die leading to further poverty of movement and difficulty with everyday tasks such as walking, talking, swallowing, fine motor skills such as writing and doing up buttons. Until recently, it was thought that this progression of cell death was irreversible and could not be slowed. New evidence suggests that although Parkinson’s Disease cannot be cured, the progression of the disease can be slowed……..
We already know that any exercise is better than no exercise for maintaining fitness, balance, posture, mobility and quality of life. We now know that exercise can also be so much more, it can be a powerful medicine if prescribed at the right dose, at the right time and specifically for you by a trained neurological physiotherapist from our Parkinson’s Disease Mobility Clinic.
Categories: Feature Article, Parkinson's Disease
Dictus Orthotic support for foot drop
The Dictus Band is a simple orthopedic aid, used to assist people with foot clearance and mainly intended for foot drop. The active part is an elastic band, which lifts the front of the foot in an upward position.
Categories: Product Review, Stroke recovery, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Home based rehabilitation, Neuromuscular Orthotics, Polio Clinic, Spinal Cord Injury
LSVT BIG for Parkinson's Disease. Evening lecture
Thank you to everyone who attended the LSVT evening lecture event held on the 3rd of May. There were over 45 people, with a good mix of therapists and people with Parkinson’s Disease who came to hear our clinicians speak and find out what is new in the management of Parkinson's Disease.
Categories: Events and workshops, Parkinson's Disease