LSVT BIG treatment (Lee Silverman Voice/BIG Treatment) is a program designed to improve motor function and teach people with Parkinson’s Disease to move more normally. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, patients start to lose their ability to walk, talk and complete activities of daily living.
LSVT BIG treatment administered by a trained physical or occupational therapist at Professional can help.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system mainly affecting the motor system. It was named after the British physician, James Parkinson, who first accurately described its symptoms in 1817. PD is caused by a lack of the chemical messenger dopamine in the movement centers of the brain. Besides a lack of dopamine, PD can be aggravated by genetic factors, exposure to pesticides or industrial toxins and the process of aging itself.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s appear after about 80% of the dopamine-producing nerve cells stop functioning properly.
Symptoms include (not limited to):
PD is a progressive disorder, meaning that it typically gets worse over the years.
There are other non-motor symptoms as well, such as problems with mood, sleep, thinking and speech.
Because currently there is no known cure for PD, understanding the standard treatments – and the treatment options – is critical for better controlling the symptoms and preserving the patient’s overall functional capacity and quality of life. PD is always chronic and progressive, but there are some very effective treatments including levodopa drug therapy, other drug therapies, physical therapy (particularly LSVT BIG), and surgery.
It is possible to live an active life with PD. If you take advantage of the best treatment options for you, maintain a daily exercise regimen (like LSVT BIG) as best you can, and create and use a support network you will increase your ability to remain independent and to live a pretty normal life. Remember you are not your disease. Learn as much as you can about PD and allow yourself to accept help from others when you need it.
LSVT BIG is a research-based exercise approach developed from principles of the effective PD specific speech treatment LSVT LOUD.
Research on LSVT BIG has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning in people with PD.
Faster walking with bigger steps
Improved balance
Increased trunk rotation
LSVT BIG treatment:
It is essential that LSVT BIG treatments are delivered by physical therapists who are certified in this method. Research suggest that you should NOT wait until you begin to experience disability, impaired function or loss of balance to start exercise-based PT and OT.
The sooner the better (before PD causes loss of abilities), but you can start at any point in the PD progression.
LSVT BIG will teach you how to avoid inactivity and keep your movements ALIVE. It will help you participate fully and improve the quality of your life!
We will provide the highest quality and most efficient care to our patients using state-of-the-art equipment and physical therapy techniques.
We will treat our patients safely with courtesy and the highest ethical standards.
We will work to ensure that each and every patient has an exceptional experience with our facility, staff and care.
