Parkinson's Programs
Parkinson's Wellness Package for Improved Mind, Body, and Spirit
As a Parkinson's Foundation Community Grant 2022 recipient (the only one in the Pittsburgh region), we are offering this innovative new program in two semesters: Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. Thanks to the Foundation, we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships to people with PD for each semester.
PD affects your entire life, and our program intends to comprehensively address the disease, helping your mind, body, and spirit. The program consists of 5 pillars of service that empower both the newly diagnosed and people with chronic PD:
1. Exercise Classes for movement, strengthening, endurance, falls preparedness - 2X per week
2. Slip/Trip Training: Reactive balance - 2 sessions /pp
3. Tai Chi Classes for balance and stress management - 2X per week
4. Health & Nutrition Coaching for individualized diet and sleep care - 2X per month
5. Educational Seminars for continued learning for newly diagnosed - 1X per month/3 months
Evidence shows that regular exercise at moderate intensity can slow the progression of PD. Our program provides a coordination of care across mind, body, and spirit. Program instructors are co-located and familiar with each patient, allowing collaboration across disciplines. Our clinicians are experts in working with people with PD, and clinicians are Certified in LSVT, PWR!, MMOA, and Tai Chi for Health.
This is the only program of its kind in the greater Pittsburgh metro area. We are recruiting for Fall 2022 now, with programming to begin in September.
LSVT BIG® Individual Therapy
LSVT BIG trains people with Parkinson disease (PD) to use their body more normally by focusing on amplitude or "bigness" of movement. LSVT BIG is an intensive PT program, with sessions 4 days per week for 4 weeks.
The program trains improved movements for any activity, whether “small motor” tasks like buttoning a shirt or “large motor” tasks like getting up from sofa or chair or maintaining balance while walking. The treatment improves walking, self-care and other tasks by helping people “recalibrate” how they perceive their movements with what others actually see.
LSVT BIG treatment is customized to each person's specific needs and goals, it can help regardless of the stage or severity of your condition.
This program is covered by most insurances.
PWR! Moves® Group Exercise Class
PWR! training consists of exercises that specifically target four skills shown by research to interfere with mobility in people with Parkinson’s: anti-gravity extension, weight shifting, axial mobility, and transitional movements.
The four basic PWR! Moves are performed with large amplitude, high effort, and in multiple postures. PWR! is more than just exercising, it’s really a philosophy to help people live their lives better in the presence of Parkinson’s.