What is it?
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition affecting movement control. Physiotherapy cannot slow the underlying disease but plays a vital role in maintaining mobility, balance, and independence — significantly improving quality of life.
Common causes
- Parkinson's disease is caused by loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain
- Physiotherapy addresses the resulting movement difficulties, not the underlying cause
Signs and symptoms
- Tremor at rest (most noticeable in hands)
- Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
- Rigidity (muscle stiffness)
- Stooped posture and shuffling gait
- Balance impairment and falls risk
- Freezing of gait (feet stuck to the floor)
Physiotherapy treatment at VPARC
- LSVT BIG — a high-amplitude movement training programme proven to improve movement in PD
- Cueing strategies: auditory (metronome), visual (lines on the floor) to overcome freezing
- Balance and fall prevention training
- Treadmill training for gait speed and stride length
- Stretching to reduce rigidity and improve posture
What you can do at home
- Exercise every day — even 30 minutes of brisk walking significantly helps
- Practise big, exaggerated movements when dressing, walking, and exercising
- Use a metronome app during walking to improve rhythm
- Clear the home of trip hazards and install bathroom grab rails
When to visit VPARC
Visit VPARC at diagnosis — don't wait until mobility is severely affected. Regular physiotherapy throughout the course of Parkinson's disease significantly slows functional decline.
Call +91 98896 78838 or read more on our Neurological Physiotherapy in Varanasi page. This leaflet is general information and does not replace a medical assessment.