Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is an age-related degenerative brain condition in which parts of the brain deteriorate. It is best known for causing slowed movements, tremors, balance issues, and other symptoms. The majority of cases occur for unknown reasons, but some are inherited. Although the condition is incurable, there are numerous treatment options available.

Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking.

Causes

The most noticeable signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear when nerve cells in the basal ganglia, a region of the brain that controls movement, become impaired or die. Normally, these nerve cells, or neurons, produce dopamine, a key brain chemical. When neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine, resulting in the disease's movement problems.

Symptoms

• Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
• Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time
• Slowness of movement
• Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls

Your occupational therapist can provide:

• Exercise for the upper limb including hand and finger strengthening and stretching
• How to use toothbrushes, hairbrushes and silverware
• How to dress and groom yourself
• Help with your daily activities 
• Improvement with your fine and gross motor skills

Occupational therapy gives you back the ability to perform all your familiar activities and enjoy leisure pursuits when you’re recovering from illness. The experienced team at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy has considerable experience using occupational therapy to help people affected by neuromusculoskeletal and cognitive problems to regain physical function. Find out more by calling the office today!

Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021

  Tel. (516) 829-0030

Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735   Tel. (516) 420-2900

Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797   Tel. (516) 367-1111

Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729   Tel. (631) 243-0247

North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005   Tel. (516) 344-0030

In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030 

*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*

Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360  Tel. (718) 224-8480

Oceanside: 2421 S Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572  Tel. (516) 992-2282

New York City: 250 West 93rd Street, New York, NY 10025 Tel. (212) 580-0125

Sources: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8525-parkinsons-disease-an-overview

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.