Benefits Of Rehabilitation And Physical Therapy For Parkinson's Patients
When you're diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, the more proactive you are about your care, the better. Since Parkinson's is a progressive condition, you'll find that your symptoms worsen over time. One of the things you'll want to do is find a supportive care facility that provides rehabilitation and physical therapy services. That way, you can start working to preserve your motor functions through routine therapy. Here are a few of the things that you should look for.
Ambulatory Maintenance
The neurological effects of Parkinson's disease will gradually affect your ability to walk comfortably. Not only can it disrupt your balance, but it can also restrict your stride and put you at risk of a fall. With the right therapy program, you'll be able to work consistently on your stride and general ambulatory skills to preserve your balance as much as possible.
In fact, many physical therapy programs will include exercises that focus on your core strength. This helps you preserve some of the necessary muscle control for your balance and your stride. It's important that you focus on these things to preserve your confidence when walking. Confidence in your stride and your ability to stay mobile will help you maintain your quality of life without risking injury. Some of the most common exercises you can expect for ambulatory progress include treadmill programs and resistance workouts.
Another key part of your ambulatory therapy includes a focus on keeping your cadence as consistent as possible. You'll have a routine to follow on the treadmill, and it may be adjusted to add some resistance and incline as you go. Aquatic therapy is another popular choice because the water's inherent lack of resistance lets you focus on your gross motor skills and control.
Muscle Tone Preservation
Working with a rehabilitation service also gives you the opportunity to focus on your muscle tone, which can help you retain grip strength. This is key because the tremors that can come with Parkinson's often make it difficult to hold things. You can reduce the risk of drops and retain your grip by using tension handles, stress balls, and pinching exercises. That way, you're working on both gross and fine motor skills and muscle training.
Since there are so many things affected by Parkinson's disease, it's in your best interest to make sure that you're addressing them as proactively as possible. With tips like these and the help of a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist (such as one from Hillcrest Nursing Center), you can prolong your mobility and independence.