Tipperary Parkinson’s Association news
Thursday, March 7, sees the return of physiotherapist Maria to the Order of Malta Centre, Thurles, at 2pm for a talk and question and answer session.
As you all know Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder. Symptoms a person may experience include some or all of the following: muscle stiffness, uncontrolled shaking, slowness of movement, fatigue and poor balance.
These symptoms may affect performance in daily activities such as turning in bed, getting out of a chair, walking and hand based tasks i.e. handwriting. It may have a major impact on a person's work, family and leisure activities. Other problems may arise such as muscle weakness, stooping when walking and discomfort and pain.
Chartered physiotherapists are highly trained professionals who use physical treatments to help patients self-manage a medical condition. Just as doctors train further and specialise in different conditions so do physiotherapists. Physiotherapists can help by providing practical advice on physical management of the condition, including aids and adaptations that may help in the home or at work. Physiotherapy can definitely help people with Parkinson’s disease who experience balance issues and muscle weakness. Chartered physios can provide strengthening exercises to reduce your risk of falls. If you are at risk of falls, have noticed that you are not steady on your feet or are just interested in staying active as possible a physiotherapist is the right professional to support you; physiotherapists can provide a range of techniques to improve stooped or poor posture. Techniques include stretching and strengthening exercises as well as aiding in correct posture. Physiotherapists should be seen as soon after your diagnosis as possible. Early assessment allows the physiotherapist to support the patient with current problems and to identify strategies to avoid potential problems. A treatment programme can be devised specifically for your needs. The physiotherapist will give you specific exercises and the benefits of these are they could slow down the disease, reduce falls, reduce stress and anxiety, improve balance and muscle strength. It also provides a sense of achievement and empowerment, and most importantly, it can be enjoyable. So come along and listen and talk to Maria on Thursday week or to Nenagh Monday Club every Monday at 2pm in the Pastoral Centre where we have a qualified physiotherapist, Alex, doing hour-long exercises with Parkinson's patients.