Therapies and Parkinson's management
There are a number of therapies that can help people with
Parkinson's. Therapists can provide
practical help and advice on a whole range of issues.
Occupational therapy
Keeping active and healthy is important for people with Parkinson's. Therapists offer advice on ways to help you manage your symptoms.
Alison Scott, Information and Support Worker
Occupational therapists are health professionals who help people
with mobility problems to achieve
maximum function and independence.
They also assess an individual's ability to carry out the
activities of daily living and advise on ways of making homes and
workplaces safer or more manageable.
Sometimes this involves advice about appropriate adaptations,
aids or equipment.
Occasionally, particularly in the case of movement problems, it
may involve carefully selected tasks and activities.
You can contact the social services department of
your local council to arrange for an occupational therapist to
visit you at home. Your Parkinson's specialist or GP can also refer
you.
Our Occupational therapy and Parkinson's
information sheet provides more on the benefits of occupational
therapy for people with Parkinson's.
Occupational therapy for people with
Parkinson's: Best practice guidelines are for occupational
therapists. They may also be of interest to other health
professionals, people with Parkinson's and carers.
Speech and language therapy and Parkinson's
Speech and language therapists are health professionals who
specialise in all aspects of communication, from facial expression
and body language to speech and specialised communication aids.
If you need help with communication (speech and facial
expressions) or swallowing, a speech and language therapist will be
able to advise you on exercises, techniques and equipment that will
help.
You can refer yourself through the speech and language therapy
department at your local hospital or talk to your GP.
For more information, see our Speech and
language therapy and Parkinson's information sheet.
Physiotherapy and Parkinson's
Physiotherapists are
trained health professionals who use physical treatments, including
exercise, to help manage any stiffness in joints and to restore
muscle strength and mobility.
If you have a carer, they can also
advise or train them in safe and appropriate ways to help you with
mobility concerns, and suggest ways to prevent falls.
Referral to a physiotherapist is generally made through your GP,
a consultant doctor, or a specialist Parkinson's nurse.
Some of our local groups hold group
physiotherapy sessions and exercise classes.
For more details on how people with Parkinson's and their carers
can benefit from physiotherapy, take a look at our Physiotherapy and Parkinson's information
sheet.
Exercise and Parkinson's
A regular exercise regime can help in maintaining your
abilities, strengthening your muscles, increasing mobility in your
joints and building up your general fitness and health.
Making exercise part of your regular routine provides a sense of
achievement. It can also reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and
depression.
Our Keeping moving - exercise and
Parkinson's booklet and DVD contains exercises devised by
physiotherapists that people with Parkinson's can try at home. Or
take a look at our exercise and
Parkinson's pages.
Diet and Parkinson's
As Parkinson's affects muscular movement, people with the
condition may experience problems with their diet.
A dietitian can help
with:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- constipation
- making sure Parkinson's medication
works as effectively as possible
- buying and preparing food
- eating nutritious meals
Dietitians work in collaboration with other health and social
services to ensure that these aims are achieved.
Your doctor can refer you to a dietitian and in some areas you
can refer yourself.
Find out more about diet in our Parkinson's and diet booklet or take a
look at our diet and Parkinson's
pages.
Complementary therapies and Parkinson's
Complementary therapies are treatments that may be used in
addition to or alongside conventional medicine.
Many people with Parkinson's find complementary therapy to be a
very positive experience. Some people find relief from Parkinson's
symptoms and find that treatments can be relaxing.
Complementary therapies do not replace orthodox medicine. They
should always be used in addition to, not instead of, usual
treatments.
Some complementary therapies do have side effects, can clash
with prescribed medicines or can be harmful if provided by
untrained practitioners.
Always check with your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse
before you try any complementary therapy.
Our Complementary therapy and
Parkinson's booklet provides more information on many types of
complementary therapy techniques.
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