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New Therapy Offered for Patients with Parkinson Disease


People living with Parkinson Disease or other neurological conditions often move differently, with gestures and actions that become smaller and slower. They may have trouble getting around, getting dressed, and with other daily activities. A new therapy offered at SMC can help patients with PD use their body more normally and slow symptom progression. Lisa Fletcher, PT, DPT, recently went through LSVT BIG training to become an LSVT BIG Certified Clinician.

LSVT BIG trains improved movements for any activity, whether small motor tasks like buttoning a shirt or large motor tasks like getting up from sitting or maintaining balance while walking. The treatment improves walking, self-care, and other tasks by helping patients “recalibrate” how they perceive their movements with what others see. It also teaches them how and when to apply extra effort to produce bigger motions, more like the movements of everyone around them. Although the training focuses on patients with PD, the therapy can be beneficial for anyone developing difficulty moving, walking, or balancing.

Because LSVT BIG treatment is tailored to each person’s specific needs and goals, it can help regardless of the stage or severity of a patient’s condition. However, the treatment may be most effective in early or middle stages of the condition when the patient can both improve function and potentially slow further symptom progression. Beginning work with LSVT BIG before noticing significant problems with balance, mobility, or posture will often lead to the best results, but it’s never too late to start. LSVT BIG can produce significant improvements even for people facing considerable physical difficulties.

To learn more about LSVT BIG therapy, call SMC Rehab at 7017487276 or visit LSVT Global’s website.