Parkinson’s is a disease caused when cells within the brain stop working correctly and are lost over time. Also referred to as PD, Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the central nervous system breakdown causing difficulty with coordination, balance, stiffness, and shaking.
There are five degenerative stages of Parkinson’s, which start with very mild symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to understand the breakdown of this disease so we can adjust treatments for each individual.
The five stages of Parkinson’s Disease
Stage one
- Noticeable changes with balance.
- Problems with walking or standing.
- Slight tremors likened to missing a meal or being low in sugar. They usually start with one side of the body.
- In some cases, friends and family may spot a difference in your facial expressions.
Stage two
- Balance becomes a noticeable issue.
- Walking becomes increasingly difficult.
- Changes within your posture.
- Tremors are more prominent.
- Facial expressions become more complex.
Stage three
- Symptoms in stage two are more prominent.
- Difficulty with tasks like washing and dressing. You may feel you need extra help now.
- Loss of balance.
- You may need a walking aid.
Stage four
- Daily tasks become impossible, and aid is needed when eating, drinking, washing and clothing.
- Difficulty falling asleep or waking.
- The risk of falls increases, and it is essential to have aid when walking or rising.
Stage five
- A wheelchair becomes a necessity.
- An extensive deterioration of the mind causing delusions, hallucinations, and poor memory.
- Poor reasoning makes the patient argumentative or unreasonable when caring for them.
- Weight loss
- Problems with sight and loss of smell.
Treating Parkinson’s
As stated above, treatment varies from patient to patient depending on which stage of Parkinson’s they are experiencing. Unfortunately, there is no cure currently for Parkinson’s, so therapy is fundamental to maintaining the quality of life.
As well as Physiotherapy, other treatments include;
- Medication.
- Speech therapy.
- Occupational therapy.
- Brian stimulation surgery.
Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s
Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s can help minimise deterioration by improving strength, coordination and balance.
Physio helps you maintain or improve your levels of movement, which in turn reduces your risk of falling, giving you the independence you need to complete day to day tasks with little or no aid.
The main advantages of physiotherapy for the treatment of PD are –
- Improving posture
- Increase muscle strength
- Improve mobility
- Reduce the risk of injury
- Gain confidence
Exercises are tailored to each individual with an action plan for any stage of Parkinson’s that can be taken home and performed daily with family, friends and carers. Get in touch today for more information about how we help our clients with Parkinson’s or to book a consultation.
