Rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease
exercise therapy for Parkinson's · Parkinson's classes · Parkinson's rehabilitation · Parkinson's exercises
These are regular sessions that help you keep movement, balance, speech and independence for longer. They are led by a rehabilitation therapist, a speech therapist and other specialists.
For Parkinson's disease at any stage - together with the medicines your neurologist prescribed.
⏱ Duration: a session usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, and you need to keep doing it regularly
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Medicines. Do not change your schedule on your own. Come to sessions in the hours when your medicines work best.
- Clothing. Comfortable clothes and steady shoes without laces.
- Company. It is good if a close person comes to the first sessions - they will be shown the exercises too.
What to bring
- Your neurologist's summaries
- A list of your medicines and the times you take them
- Comfortable shoes
- Water
How it goes
- The specialist checks your walking, balance and strength
- You train big steps and walking to a count or rhythm
- You do exercises for balance and turning
- You are taught to stand up from a chair and from bed
- A speech therapist works on speech and swallowing, if needed
- You are given a plan of exercises for every day
What you'll feel
- Sessions can be tiring - the pace is set to suit you
- Movement is easier on some days than on others - this is normal
Afterwards
- Exercise at home every day
- Remove rugs and cords from the floor and put in handrails
- Tell your neurologist if you have started to fall more often
Contact a doctor straight away if
- A fall with severe pain or a blow to the head - call your local emergency number
- Choking, coughing and struggling to breathe - call your local emergency number
- A sudden worsening of movement or confusion
Common questions
Do exercises help if I take medicines?
Yes. Medicines and sessions work together, and exercises help you keep movement for longer.
What if my feet freeze when I walk?
Stop, take a breath, start a step to a count, or step over an imaginary line. The specialist will show you tricks.