Physiotherapy and NDIS Care for Parkinson’s Disease

WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that affects the nervous system and gradually affects movement. Gradual onset of symptoms can include a mild hand tremor, generalised stiffness and slowing down of movement.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

HOW DOES PARKINSON’S OCCUR

The body requires neurotransmitters to pass signals. Neurotransmitters can be thought of as chemical messengers. They allow communication to happen within the nervous system and from the nervous system to the muscles. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine.

Parkinson’s disease affects the dopamine production in a specific area of the brain. When dopamine production falls, Parkinsonian symptoms occur.

A pill-rolling tremor can when idle

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PARKINSON’S

• Tremor: Usually starts in a limb, often the fingers or hand. A “pill-rolling” tremor is common and looks like rolling a pill between the first two digits.
• Slower movement: Occurring gradually, movements become slowed. Rudimental tasks can take more time and become more difficult. Walking with shorter steps, difficulty standing up and dragging feet while walking are common.
• Stiffness: Affecting muscles, which then will affect the joints, stiffness will also cause movements to be more difficult and slower.
• Posture and balance changes: Posture can become stooped. Balance is altered due to a combination of stiffness, postural changes and a slowed nervous system and physical capacity.
• Speech changes: Speaking becomes quieter, softer, hesitated or slurred. Speech can also become quite monotone.
• Fine motor changes: Writing and manipulating objects between the fingers may become difficult.
• Automatic movement changes: Movements such as blinking and swinging arms when walking may reduce. A “masked” facial expression can occur due to the lack of smiling and expression on the face.

Improving balance, posture and core strength can improve function

CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY ALSO HELP WITH PARKINSON’S?

Physiotherapy can be essential to provide management of Parkinson’s on a regular basis. The following are some of the goals of physiotherapy intervention:

• Maintenance and improvement of independence and functional capacity
• Exercises to improve mobility, flexibility and balance
• Correction of abnormal postures and movements to prevent injury such as falls
• Education on the disease’s progression to outline expectations and provide a management plan into the future, particularly for the carer(s) and family

WHAT SERVICES CAN BE UTILISED TO SEE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

If you suffer from Parkinson’s disease you may be eligible to receive in-home and in-clinic physiotherapy support under the NDIS.

What is the NDIS and who is eligible?

Run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS) is a support service across Australia that provides financial support for eligible Australians with permanent or significant intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. The NDIS is designed and aimed to support you to:

• Move more independently
• Improve balance and/or coordination
• Become more active in the community
• Improve strength, fitness and endurance
• Management of pain
• Improve quality of life

Where are we based?

We have clinics in Darra and Jindalee that run seven days a week. We also have the ability to service South-East Brisbane with home visits. Our physiotherapists are here to provide support for all ages and progressions of Parkinson’s disease.

HOW CAN PHYSIOPHI HELP MY PARKINSON’S?

Physiophi provides services to support YOU. Our physiotherapists can provide both in-home and in-clinic physiotherapy services. Our consultations will include a thorough assessment and will aim to help you to overcome and manage mobility and physical impairments with a variety of techniques such as:

• Joint mobilisation and/or manipulation
• A pain management plan
• Exercise programs for rehabilitation
• Advice and management of your condition
• Recommendations for mobility and equipment aids
• Advice and education on managing mobility and transfers

We currently service South-East Brisbane including the following areas: Darra, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Oxley, Corinda, Sinnamon Park, Sherwood, Graceville, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Kenmore, Westlake, Sumner, Middle Park, Wacol, Goodna, Richlands, Durack, Inala, Rocklea, Acacia Ridge, Moorooka, Annerley, Woolloongabba etc.

DISCLAIMER

PLEASE CONTACT US ON: (07) 3172 4332 TO HAVE A CHAT WITH OUR FRIENDLY STAFF OR SIMPLY BOOK ONLINE ON: WWW.PHYSIOPHI.COM.AU

1. Heinzel, S., Lerche, S., Maetzler, W., & Berg, D. (2017). Global, Yet Incomplete Overview of Cohort Studies in Parkinson’s disease. J Parkinsons Dis, 7(3), 423-432.https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-171100
2. Noyce, A., &Bandopadhyay, R. (2017). Parkinson’s Disease: Basic Pathomechanisms and a Clinical Overview. Adv Neurobiol, 15, 55-92.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57193-5_3