Specialized Therapy for Parkinson's Disease Patients

If you or a loved one needs assistance with daily activities that are restricted due to Parkinson’s disease, our rehabilitation experts can help. Many of our physical therapists and speech-language pathologists at Munson Healthcare are certified in the Lee Silverman Treatment Programs – proven methods of specialized therapy to address movement and speech issues.

Understanding How LSVT Works

LSVT BIG: The LSVT BIG principles address the unique movement impairments for people with Parkinson's disease. Therapists work with individuals to improve major motor skills, like walking, arm and leg movement and balance. This is based on the philosophy that repeated exercise may slow, halt or reverse the progression of Parkinson's. It is felt that purposeful movement and continuous exercise is necessary to regain function. The goal is for patients to use their "bigger" movements and voices automatically in everyday living and for long-term carryover of increased functions.

LSVT LOUD: Speech-language pathologists improve vocal loudness by stimulating the muscles of the voice box, or larynx, and speech mechanism through a series of LSVT Loud exercises. Therapy does not train people to shout or yell – rather it trains a healthy voice to speak more clearly, with increased vocal volume and no strain.

These programs consist of 60-minute sessions, four times per week for four weeks. Our specialized therapy is combined with an at-home exercise program that should be completed one to two times a day. The integration of specialized therapy and at-home sessions helps our Parkinson's patients improve their skills.

Enhanced Services in Kingsley and Traverse City in Collaboration With Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation 

Better-than-ever specialized and coordinated care is what our patients can expect with our expanded collaboration with one of the largest and most comprehensive rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. Our health care team works closely with experts from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation to enhance rehab services for our northern Michigan communities.

Our health care team includes physiatrists and physician assistants who provide integrated, coordinated, and high-quality rehabilitation. Their expertise includes complex medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.

Our enhanced Parkinson's disease rehabilitation services are available in Traverse City.

Parkinson's Disease Support Groups and Classes

Support groups are currently on hold due to COVID-19.

• Manistee Parkinson's Support Group: Third Thursday of each month (excluding January and February) at 11 am in the Education Center at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital (1465 E. Parkdale Ave.). Meetings feature expert speakers, programs, research material or sometimes simply talking, sharing or listening. For more information about the Manistee Parkinson's Support Group, call Jeanne Lewis at (231) 299-1286 or Linda Nickelson at (231) 690-5048.

• Traverse City Exercise Group: Patients with Parkinson’s disease often benefit from guided exercise and movement. This class will teach you exercises to help strengthen and relax your muscles, improve your balance and coordination, and provide voice training. The class is taught by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists. The class is open to anyone living with Parkinson’s disease and spouses and caregivers are welcome to join. Classes are held every month on the second Wednesday and the fourth Thursday at the Foster Family Community Health Center in Traverse City. Cost is $10. You may pay when you arrive for the class with a credit card or check. To register, call 231-935-8600.

   

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Learn More about Specialized Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

To learn more about Munson Healthcare’s specialized therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease, contact your primary care physician and request that a referral be made at one of our convenient locations. Please click on a location below for more information and contact details.