Northwestern Medicine - Empower Health

A SPECIALIZED FORM OF PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS PATIENTS COPE WITH MOTOR SYMPTOMS. Regaining His Stride Retired journalism professor Avi Bass of DeKalb has lived with Parkinson's disease for about five years. "My main symptom is tremors," Avi says. "Everyday tasks that require fine motor skills, such as cutting food with a knife, take longer than they used to." In January, Avi completed the LSVT BIG ® program with Physical Therapist Mike Andrews. "The exercises have made it easier for me to complete day-to-day activities," Avi says. "I can walk longer and more briskly, and I take bigger strides. I'm able to keep up with my wife now." PARKINSON'S DISEASE (PD) can make patients' movements slow and small, which hinders basic abilities such as eating and dressing. LSVT BIG® is a physical therapy protocol that teaches patients to exaggerate their movements to compensate for the changes caused by PD. Last fall, KishHealth System, now part of Northwestern Medicine, Physical Therapist Mike Andrews became one of the first providers in DeKalb County certified to offer LSVT BIG®. "I begin by leading patients through balance and twisting activities," Andrews says. "Next, we work on transferring from sitting to standing and walking, and finally, we address the tasks each patient has trouble with, such as putting on shoes." Patients attend LSVT BIG® sessions four times per week for four weeks, and they also do exercises at home. Eventually, every patient has a "wow" moment. "For one patient, this moment was when putting on a jacket became easier. For another, it was when he was able to bring a spoon to his mouth faster and more accurately," Andrews says. "Patients who commit to this program experience huge improvements in their everyday abilities." LSVT BIG® is available at KishHealth System Physical Therapy Center located at 599 Pearson Drive, Genoa. For more information about this treatment, call 815.784.2100. A physician's referral is required. THINKING BIG to Manage Parkinson's Disease 3 FAL L 1 6

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