Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition of the brain that affects how a person moves. It happens when certain nerve cells in the brain slowly stop producing dopamine, a chemical that helps control smooth and coordinated muscle movements. As dopamine levels drop, movements can become slower, stiffer, or shaky over time.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Tremors or shaking (especially in hands or fingers)
• Stiffness or rigidity in muscles
• Slow or small movements (bradykinesia)
• Balance and walking problems
• Trouble with facial expressions, handwriting, or speech
• Fatigue, mood changes, or sleep disturbances

There are different stages and phases for Parkinson's disease, which help track how the condition develops and progresses.

Parkinson's often develops gradually and can be thought of in three main phases:

• Preclinical phase – Changes begin in the brain, but there are no noticeable symptoms yet.
• Prodromal phase – Early, subtle signs may appear, such as sleep problems, loss of smell, constipation, or mood changes, but movement symptoms are not obvious.
• Clinical phase – Movement symptoms like slowness, stiffness, or tremor become noticeable, and Parkinson's can be diagnosed.

To describe how Parkinson's affects movement over time, doctors commonly use the Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scale, which has five stages:

• Stage 1: Symptoms affect one side of the body only and are usually mild
• Stage 2: Symptoms affect both sides of the body, but balance is still good
• Stage 3: Balance becomes affected, but the person can still walk and live independently
• Stage 4: Movement becomes more limited, and daily activities need assistance
• Stage 5: The person may need a wheelchair or full-time support

Parkinson's disease does progress over time but early action can change the journey. It is about protecting abilities, building resilience, and preserving quality of life, today and for the years ahead.

Starting the right rehabilitation program early and continuing it consistently can help slow symptom progression, improve mobility and daily function, and support long-term independence. When rehabilitation begins soon after diagnosis, it doesn't just manage symptoms; it can delay functional decline and help people stay active, confident, and in control of their lives for longer.

Benefits of early rehabilitation:

• Improve walking and balance
• Maintain strength and flexibility
• Enhance speech and swallowing
• Boost confidence and emotional well-being
• Delay the impact of disease progression

Our team works closely with your neurologist and care providers to ensure seamless coordination of:

• Medication Management: Timing and type of medication are key to symptom control.
• Non-Motor Symptom Care: Including mood, cognition, constipation, sleep, and fatigue.
• Advanced Therapies: Support for deep brain stimulation (DBS), apomorphine pumps, or advanced drug regimens.

As early as possible. Starting rehabilitation soon after diagnosis, especially when symptoms seem mild, can make a meaningful difference.

Regular rehabilitation can improve your quality of life, help you stay active longer, and decrease the advancement of your symptoms.