Physical Therapy

“Research shows the sooner you seek treatment, the decreased severity of symptoms you may experience.”

LSVT BIG is a researched-based exercise treatment for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions with aim to increase the amplitude or size of the individual’s movements. Increasing the amplitude or size of movement for people with Parkinson’s is important  to increase ability to move throughout his or her environment and complete activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, cooking, etc. Research has shown longitudinal improvements in an individual’s ability to walk faster, take bigger steps, have better balance, and increase trunk rotation, which is need for reaching and dressing. Trains the brain to think BIG to increase amplitude or size of movement in all activities throughout the day!

The Lee Silverman Voice Technique (LSVT) Loud program stimulates oval loudness by stimulating the muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through a systematic hierarchy of exercise. Focused on “LOUD”, the treatment improves respiratory, laryngeal, and articulatory function to maximize speech intelligibly. LSVT Loud uses loudness training to train the voice to an improved, healthy vocal loudness with no strain.

A patient referred to the LSVT BIG and  Loud program will complete an evaluation to determine individual goals for the course of therapy. The LSVT BIG and Loud programs are comprised of 16 treatment sessions: 4 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks- typically one hour sessions. All treatment session are completed on an individual basis. The patient will be provided daily homework exercises to carryover therapy into his or her everyday life. Treatment is interactive with a high degree of patient participation and engagement.

“We were looking for someone who had therapy for Parkinson’s. When we found out that Oaklawn offered that opportunity we went there and had great success.”

Anita Weirich, Patient