Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

How Baxter Regional Physical Therapy Can Help

Thanks to funding from the National Institutes of Health, and approximately 20 years of research, there is an effective exercise approach available that provides an opportunity for improvement of function for patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This research-based exercise approach is called LSVT BIG. Improvements seen after working in the LSVT BIG program include, but are not limited to: walking faster with bigger steps, improved balance, and increased trunk rotation.

The LSVT BIG protocol utilizes large arcs of motion (BIG movements), and requires high effort exercise (70% intensity with all movements). This combination teaches participants the amount of effort required to produce normal-sized movement and speed for specific exercise movements. This empowers participants to take a bigger movement pattern and apply it to activities used every day. As a result, a lifelong habit of BIG MOVEMENTS is formed that will help keep participants moving and will empower them with the potential to improve their quality of life.

The LSVT BIG program consist of 16 exercise sessions, which are 1 hour in length. These sessions are best utilized 4 days a week for 4 weeks. The program is individualized to each participant’s needs, which includes a standardized program of 7 basic exercises, as well as the development of a customized daily home exercise program. The program is designed to address the specifics of each individual’s movement difficulties and activity challenges that often accompany Parkinson’s disease.

If you would like to fight back against Parkinson’s Disease, ask your primary care physician to refer you to the Baxter Regional Medical Center’s outpatient Physical Therapy Department.

Call us at (870) 508-1560 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.