Parkinson’s Disease occurs when brain cells that coordinate movements, stop working or die. It causes tremors, stiffness and balance problems and is a progressive disease that affects each individual differently .

Dr. Debora Chasse is a certified LSVT BIG to help patients with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions to use their body more efficiently in normal every day movements. People with neurological conditions have a tendency to move more slowly and cautiously. Each patients treatment session is customized, each person is guided through a series of exercises and activities that focus on increasing movement amplitude, balance and coordination. Debora with help each individual practice functional movements, such as walking, reaching, and getting up from a chair, using large, exaggerated motions. Research studies have shown that LSVT BIG can lead to significant improvements in motor function, mobility, balance and overall quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease. Debora has a special interest in people with neurological conditions as this hits close to home for her. Treatments for LSVT BIG can be conducted in the clinic or on video conferencing (such as Zoom) or home visits in specific locations.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting the parts of the body this is controlled by the nerves. Symptoms vary for each person and often begin with a tremor in one hand and can progress to all the extremities. The early stages can cause stiffness and slowing of movements, lack of trunk rotation, lack of facial expression, lack of trunk rotation, stiffness in regions of the body that can cause pain and limited movement, depression or anxiety, postural and balance challenges, loss of unconscious movement, softened monotone speech, changes in writing, constipation and incontinent. The symptoms worsen as the condition progresses.

Increasing muscle strength, flexibility and balance training is a crucial aspect to treating Parkinson’s disease. Exercise can have a positive effect to you sense of well being and reducing depression or anxiety. Exercises such as walking, swimming, biking gardening, dancing, water aerobics, kick boxing and stretching improves your symptoms and decreases functional decline.

Additional support can be helpful to decrease some of the symptoms and potential complications related to pain, fatigue, depression, posture and balance. Breathing, meditation and prayer quiets the brain, reduces stress and pain and offers a sense of well being. Matrix Repatterning can reduce pain, increase range of motion, improve flexibility, posture and balance. Movement exercises such as Dynamic Neuro-cognitive Imaging and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), LSVT Big, can target specific regions of the body, improve the body’s awareness in space, support the nervous/muscular systems to improve movement, flexibility, parasympathetic nervous system responses, relaxation, mood, balance and much more.

Function Ability Physical Therapy (FAPT) will provide hands on physical therapy, patient education, breathing techniques, exercises to support healthy bowels and urinary flow. At FAPT, together we will decide which treatment program is right for you to increase your strength, flexibility, coordination and balance.

Contact debora@FunctionabilityPT.com to inquire about PNF classes for Parkinson’s in Newport Beach.