ABSTRACT
A 2001 research synthesis published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation supported the hypothesis that Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients benefit from physical therapy (PT) added to their standard regimen of medication.1 An integral member of an interdisciplinary team approach to management of Parkinson’s, the physical therapist plays an important role throughout the continuum of care from time of diagnosis to advanced stages of the disease. Parkinson’s disease compromises patient mobility in a variety of ways, and physical therapy is helpful for patients experiencing difficulties with bed mobility, transfers, gait, or balance loss/falling. Referrals to physical therapy also are instrumental in the development of an individualized exercise program, posture awareness, and pain control. Patient/family education provided by physical therapists offers greater understanding of issues relating to safety, stress reduction, movement enhancement strategies, and compensation techniques.
