WELLSVILLE, NY (October 22, 2018) – Jones Memorial Hospital
now has two physical therapists who are certified in LVST BIG, an exercise
treatment program for people with Parkinson's disease. Christy Hart, PT, and
Scott Szalay, PTA, recently completed the training and are now able to provide
this intense therapy program.
Often people with Parkinson’s have slower and smaller steps
and gestures. “Their brain perceives these small movements as regular, normal
movements,” explained Christy. “In LVST BIG, we are teaching them to make what
feels to them like big movements, but which in reality look like normal
movements. We are retraining their brain to think BIG.”
The program is fairly rigid and includes four sessions a
week for four weeks. “There are also exercises that the patient does every day
daily at home,” said Scott. “Improving their function and movements takes
commitment from the patient – they have to do their ‘homework’ to succeed.”
Traditional PT for Parkinson's generally aims to improve
flexibility, strength or balance. These help actions like getting up from a chair,
turning over in bed, or walking, but they require patients to remember multiple
instructions for each movement. “In LSVT, patients focus thinking BIG and focus
on strength, movement, balance, coordination, and function,” said Christy.
“Once the brain is recalibrated to accept these big gestures as normal, there
is improved function in other daily tasks.” The LVST BIG program often leads to
improved walking with faster speed, bigger steps, improved balance and movement
quality with bigger and more controlled movements to increase independence with
dressing, self-care, cooking and mobility.
For more information, talk to your provider or call the JMH
Rehabilitation Services Department at (585) 596-4011.
