Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s
Reclaim Your Strength. Renew Your Confidence.
Physical Therapy (PT) is a cornerstone of Parkinson’s care. It helps individuals stay active, improve balance and mobility, and manage the physical challenges that come with the disease.
What Does a Physical Therapist Do?
Physical Therapists help people with Parkinson’s maintain movement, strength, and safety through personalized exercise and education.
Treatment may include:
- Therapeutic exercise to improve flexibility and endurance
- Gait training to improve walking speed and stride length
- Balance and postural control exercises
- Manual therapy to reduce stiffness and pain
- Task-specific practice (like standing, turning, or climbing stairs)
- Education for patients and families on movement strategies and fall prevention
Benefits of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can make a life-changing difference for people living with Parkinson’s by:
- Increasing strength, range of motion, and balance
- Improving gait speed and reducing freezing of gait
- Enhancing postural control and functional mobility
- Boosting quality of life and sleep
- Reducing risk of falls
- Supporting neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to form new connections and “retrain” movement
Managing Progressive Symptoms
Physical Therapy is adaptable for all levels of ability — from newly diagnosed to advanced stages.
Later Stages and Lower-Level Function
- Gentle mat or seated exercises to improve mobility
- Strengthening without increasing fall risk
- Practice sit-to-stand transfers for daily independence
Mid Stage and Moderate-Level Function
- Gait training focused on large-amplitude movement and aerobic conditioning
- Standing balance exercises with gradual reduction in hand support
- Floor exercises to practice floor-to-stand transfers
Early Stages and Advanced or High-Level Function
- Dual-task training (movement + thinking) for safety in complex environments
- Dynamic balance activities to handle uneven surfaces
- Quadruped and core strengthening for stability and posture
Evidence-Based Programs
LSVT BIG®
A proven, research-based therapy program that retrains the body to move with bigger, more deliberate motions.
- 16 one-hour individual sessions (4x/week for 4 weeks)
- High-intensity, amplitude-focused exercises
- Improves gait, balance, and overall mobility
- Encourages long-term “thinking BIG” in everyday life
PWR! Moves (Parkinson Wellness Recovery)
An integrated exercise approach built on the science of neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to change through movement.
- Combines aerobic training and functional skill practice
- Every 6–12 months for “tune-ups” and goal updates
- If you notice changes in walking, balance, or daily mobility
- After falls or close calls
- When new joint pain develops
- Before, during, or after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery
Get Started
If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s, Physical Therapy can help you stay strong, steady, and confident. Ask your physician to guide you toward the right therapist or exercise program in your area. Contact the Indiana Parkinson Foundation at 317-550-5648 or info@indianaparkinson.org.
