Our advanced rehabilitation program for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is dedicated to helping you move with greater freedom, confidence, and control. Through evidence-based exercises that enhance mobility, build strength, improve posture, boost endurance, and reduce fall risk, we work to slow the progression of PD and empower you to live more actively and independently. Your journey to a stronger, more confident life begins with a personalized physical therapy consultation today.
Walking with Parkinson’s Disease after Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Techniques in Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
How External Cues Support Movement in Parkinson’s Disease
Movement can become challenging for people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other Parkinsonism disorders. One powerful tool that can help is the use of external cues during daily activities and rehabilitation.
What Are External Cues?
An external cue is an instruction or signal that directs attention to the environment instead of focusing only on the body. For example, many people with early PD find it easier to climb stairs than to walk across a smooth floor. That’s because the shape and size of the stairs provide a visual external cue for where to place each foot.
Why Are They Helpful?
External cues support something called motor planning which is your brain’s ability to create a “game plan” for movement. Normally, this happens automatically. If you want to pick up a glass of water, your brain has to:
Decide to reach for the glass.
Plan how far to move the arm.
Tell the hand how to shape itself around the glass.
Coordinate lifting it smoothly without spilling.
Most of us don’t notice this process, but in Parkinson’s Disease the connection between brain and body can become disrupted. This makes motor planning less automatic and more effortful.
The Role of Practice and Cues
By adding external cues (whether visual, auditory, or tactile) the brain gets extra guidance to organize movements more clearly. Over time, these cues can help retrain the brain and body to work together, making everyday tasks like walking, turning, standing up, navigating around furniture or reaching easier and more controlled.
Commonly Asked Questions
When should a person with Parkinson’s Disease start physical therapy?
For best outcomes, a person with PD should start physical therapy immediately upon receiving a diagnosis because Physical therapy can greatly help to slow the progression of the disease. At Audia Physical Therapy, we see clients continually as well as in-between insurance-based rounds of physical therapy so that you never have to go without a therapy program.
What are the benefits of physical therapy for someone with Parkinson’s Disease?
At Audia Physical Therapy, we train individuals with PD to improve posture, balance, walking, and movement for life as well as prevent secondary complications related to PD. Physical Therapy plays a critical role in maintaining the ability to participate in life activities such as walking, doing chores, playing sports, attending family gatherings and events, and maintaining hobbies.
Resources for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Foundation- General information
Tremble Clefs- Parkinson’s Choir
Rock Steady Boxing- Group fitness