"Exercise is Medicine"

LSVT BIG® is a treatment program for people with parkinson's disease. It is based on the principle that the brain CAN learn and change. The program uses a single treatment focus, amplitude ("BIGNESS" of movement), to improve movement quality in people with parkinson's disease. We train with large amplitude movements to improve limb, body, and trunk mobility. Additional carryover is often seen in the domains of speed, balance, and quality of life.

LSVT BIG® can be delivered by a physical or occupational therapist. Treatment is administered in 16 sessions over a single month (four individual 60 minute sessions per week). This protocol was developed specifically to address the unique movement impairments for people with Parkinson disease. The protocol is both intensive and complex, with many repetitions of core movements that are used in daily living. This type of practice is necessary to optimize learning and carryover of your better movement into everyday life!

Start exercising NOW – as soon as possible. Physicians do not always refer their patients to health and fitness programs at diagnosis because medications are very effective early on at alleviating most of the symptoms, and patients experience little change in function. Yet, according to a recent survey it is at the time of diagnosis that patients often begin to consider lifestyle changes and seek education about conventional and complementary/alternative treatment options. Thus referrals to exercise, wellness programs and physical/occupational therapy would be best initiated at diagnosis, when it may have the most impact on quality of life.