“Can occupational medicine treat Parkinson's?”

Occupational medicine focuses on the prevention and management of injuries and conditions related to work and daily functioning, but for Parkinson’s disease (PD), occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are the more relevant forms of care. OT helps individuals maintain independence in daily activities, such as dressing, eating, and writing. For someone with Parkinson’s, this can include strategies for dealing with tremors, fatigue, or stiffness, as well as introducing adaptive tools to make everyday tasks easier.
Physical therapy, on the other hand, focuses on improving mobility, balance, strength, and flexibility. For Parkinson’s, PT addresses challenges like gait changes, muscle stiffness, and the risk of falls. Therapists use specific exercises to improve posture, reduce freezing episodes, and enhance overall movement. Strengthening and stretching exercises, along with balance training, can help keep your grandmother active and more confident in her mobility.
Combined with medications like Levodopa, PT can significantly enhance her quality of life by slowing the physical symptoms of PD and promoting overall health. Encouraging regular PT sessions tailored to her specific needs will not only keep her strong but also help her stay engaged in activities she enjoys. Let us know if we can help her with a personalized program here at Alinea Performance!

Occupational therapy supports Parkinson's management by improving daily activity independence, enhancing mobility, and ensuring home safety. It complements medication like Levodopa by focusing on strength, balance, and cognitive strategies. Combined with physical therapy, speech therapy, and lifestyle changes, it promotes an active, fulfilling life for your grandmother despite her diagnosis.

Yes. There are physical, occupational and speech pathologists who can help by teaching techniques to make the activities of daily living better. It will not eliminate the disease, but i can help the quality of life

Physical therapy is normally the best way. Occupational is helpful if they are having trouble with dressing. Physical therapy will be more for getting out of bed, walking, stairs, etc. Both professions have a lot of cross over.

Daniel Prata, PT, DPT, COMT Lic#40QA01212000

You should have her see a therapist that specializes in Neuro. She would benefit from strength training and balance activities

Is she planning on returning to work? Occupational medicine deals in the realm of the injured worker in order to return them to the workforce. They may be able to monitor and or modify her medications and refer her to a Physical Therapist though. Then the PT would perform an examination and evaluation to determine the best course of rehabilitation. Best wishes and good luck.

Yes, they do help with improving/maintaining functional ADls.

Physical therapy has shown to have a good effect for treating Parkinson's, especially if the BIG and LOUD program is used to help improve motor control and movement patterns to decrease risk of falling and improve quality of life.

Look for a therapist certified in LSVT BIG. Don't settle for a video. Do your grandmother a solid and get her proper treatment from a PT in person.

Hi,

Occupational medicine training taught me about heavy metal exposure/poisoning that can injure the brain, and how to get things like mercury out of the body. Integrative medicine taught me how to help people decrease the “fire” of inflammation that may be contributing to brain injury. We also can consider stem cell treatments to perhaps help the brain restore from damage.

Best,

Dr. B