Improvement Requires Encouragement and Discipline
To improve, one needs support and consistency
World Parkinson’s Day, observed on April 11 of every year, this aims to raise awareness about Parkinson’s, the second most common brain disorder after Alzheimer’s.
Ticy City seized the opportunity to educate itself about Parkinson’s disease. Although it can’t be cured, it can be managed with the right approach. This requires both support and disciplined treatment.
Parkinson’s disease damages the nervous system, particularly brain cells, affecting dopamine levels. This leads to various physical abnormalities, such as tremors, as well as non-motor symptoms.
Typical symptoms include tremors in the hands or legs, slow movements, stiffness, posture issues, speech problems, slow handwriting, reduced facial expressions, loss of smell and taste, confusion, dizziness, constipation, and insomnia. Patients may also experience anxiety and depression.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s can slow its progression and improve the patient’s quality of life. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in treatment, addressing movement, swallowing, speech, and writing.
LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD are specialized therapies designed to tackle movement and speech issues in Parkinson’s patients. Named after Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, LSVT emphasizes loud speech and large movements to enhance brain connectivity and alleviate symptoms.
Both therapies require consistent and intensive training over time to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and change.
LSVT BIG: Training for Wider Movements
Traditional physical therapy for Parkinson’s focuses on stretching muscles and using external cues like lights or sounds to aid movement. However, when these cues are absent, patients often struggle with walking again.
LSVT BIG offers a fresh approach to Parkinson’s rehabilitation. It goes beyond traditional exercises, targeting the underlying cause by stimulating changes in brain connections. Kitti Sonjaijit, Thailand’s first certified LSVT BIG therapist, explains that using keywords like ‘widest’ and ‘biggest’ helps patients with short, frequent steps or narrow movements to broaden their stride. By emphasizing larger movements and consistent training, LSVT BIG aims to improve movement efficiency, posture, and daily activities.
LSVT LOUD: Training for Clearer Speech
LSVT LOUD focuses on improving speech clarity and volume in Parkinson’s patients, who often struggle with soft, unclear speech. By using keywords like ‘think loudly, speak loudly,’ therapists help patients project their voice and articulate words more clearly. This intensive, one-on-one therapy aims to enhance communication skills and overall quality of life.
Both LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD require personalized sessions with certified therapists, typically four times a week for an hour each session. Patients also need to perform prescribed exercises at home daily to maximize the benefits.
This dedicated training regimen helps rewire the brains of Parkinson’s patients, promoting learning, preserving dopamine levels, and facilitating nerve cell connections. It represents a significant advancement in Parkinson’s rehabilitation.
For more information on Parkinson’s disease and treatment options, contact Arun Health Garden Clinic at 02-717-4441 or 094-812-7722, or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/arunhealthgarden.
Image source: Pixabay
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