Parkinsons Disease treatment with Sydney Rehab
What to expect?? We start with a thorough assessment of your condition and the specific symptoms you have from Parkinsons Disease. From there we will discuss the most realistic approach to be able to tackle your difficulties. Even if you don’t have many symptoms we take into account any potential symptoms that may develop and work towards preventing them. Therefore we completely tailor the program to suit you and the potential side effects/symptoms you may be experiencing. Our team of Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists and Occupational Therapists are trained to be able to prescribe the correct style, dosage and intensity of exercise to complement your medical treatment plan and to assist you through it from start to finish. You can expect to feel nurtured throughout the process.
Evidence based:
When you are dealing with medical issues that have complex effects on the body, an experienced practitioner will administer the latest evidence based therapy. At Sydney Rehab our therapists are bound by multiple professional bodies regulatory requirements. Our professional bodies including, ESSA, APA, FIA and AHPRA ensure that our standards are maintained yearly. Our therapists have many years of experience in the health industry, and when you want results, experience is what you need.
Injury Prevention:
Whilst your body is dealing with treatment or recovery, we assist with your goals in the safest way possible. The last thing you need is an extra injury on top of what you are going through. We do this through a physiotherapy evidence based approach for injury prevention. Our therapists have the highest qualifications in the industry. We have an extensive background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy with our director having over 16 years of experience with musculoskeletal therapy.
Experience the EFFECTIVE treatment, the only difference is that it is safer because of our professional understanding of injury and the mechanisms that cause injury.
The latest equipment and technology:
We have state of the art equipment that will help you get on track. Our equipment allows us to carefully measure your body’s strength and endurance and then re-assess to see the progress you have made. Our aim is to teach you how to eventually take care of yourself and grow your knowledge and our equipment allows us to do this with feedback for you and your therapist.
What is Parkinsons Disease?:
Parkinson’s Disease is a complex condition whereby the production of the neurotransmitter, Dopamine, is reduced. Neurotransmitters assist to carry nerve impules/messages, from brain to different parts of the body. If less dopamine is produced, less impulses or messages get to their intended target. This can then result in a wide range of motor and non motor symptoms. Some of the symptoms are listed below:
- tremor/ shaking
- muscle stiffness
- freezing/ slowing of movements
- postural changes
- balance issues
It is estimated that approximately 4 people per 1,000 in Australia have Parkinson’s disease, with the incidence increasing to one in 100 over the age of 60. In Australia, there are approximately 82,000 people living with Parkinson’s disease. Of the 82,000 people living with Parkinson’s around 18% are of working age.
On average, 38 new cases are diagnosed every day and 14,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year.
The severity and signs of symptoms can vary considerably from one individual to another. The basis of diagnosis is the assessment of presenting symptoms, past medical history including exposure to substances (both pharmaceutical and environmental) and a review of family history.
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms can be vague and non-specific such as constipation, loss of smell, fatigue or muscle pain. Some of the main symptoms include shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), experiencing a sudden inability to move, balance issues, stooped posture, fatigue, blood pressure fluctuation and a shuffling gait.
Although tremor is probably the most commonly recognised symptom of Parkinson’s, it is not present in all cases (30% will not experience tremor). Muscle rigidity is commonly present in the wrist, shoulder and neck and it may also manifest as a slightly flexed elbow on the affected side. Early reports of a troublesome shoulder are associated with increased muscle rigidity. Bradykinesia affects the most basic aspects of daily living – walking, talking, swallowing and speaking. In the eyes and face it can be noticed with a decreased blink rate and a lack of facial expression. In early Parkinson’s, your posture may show a slight flexion of the neck with a slight lean to on one side. Gait changes include reduced arm swing and shortened stride height and length which may lead onto shuffling.
Early access and rehabilitation with a multidisciplinary support team is important.
Whether you are in Sydney, or elsewhere in Australia, the support teams may include doctors, exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, social workers and specialist nurses. It is important to stay as active as possible. Don’t give up on daily activities and incorporate regular exercise into your life. Rehab can help in many ways and should be multidisciplinary. Sydney Rehab offers specific programs that suit Parkinson’s Disease patients.
Australian evidence suggests that regular exercise can improve some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and will overall improve your quality of life.
Benefits of regular exercise for a person with Parkinson’s disease can include better control over gross motor movements, reduced risk of falling, greater muscle strength and flexibility, improved posture, improved joint mobility and greater confidence in all your everyday activities.
Consult closely with your Sydney exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or healthcare professional when devising an individualised exercise program. Call Sydney Rehab today to discuss this condition and how rehab can help you with your particular situation.
Why train with someone who lacks the qualifications to deal with your condition?
Parkinsons Disease is a multifaceted illness. We have had years of experience with Parkinsons patients. Therefore we know how to provide an effective program to suit your specific needs. We have strong ties with local GP’s and Parkinsons centres throughout Sydney who have been referring these patients to Sydney Rehab for some time.
Try us, we believe our standards are second to none.
NDIS:
You may be eligible to claim under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is a relatively new scheme that provides a government assisted allowance for servies such as Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, Personal Training, Occupational Therapy and Dietetics. Please check with the NDIS to see if you are eligible.
Health Fund Rebates:
Where applicable you can use your private health for our services. Whats even better is that your therapist may even be dual qualified meaning you may be eligible to claim on two services (Physiotherapy AND Exercise Physiology). An already affordable service becomes even more affordable. Some funds even cover the whole cost!*
HEALTH FUND REBATES (*where applicable)