HD PHYSICAL THERAPY Recognizes National Parkinson’s Awareness Month

WAKEFIELD, Mass. - April 21, 2015 - PRLog -- This April, millions of people around the world will recognize April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.

Statistics show:

·       Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease.

·       Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, and this number does not reflect the thousands of cases that go undetected.

·       Seven to 10 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with Parkinson’s disease.

·       Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before the age of 50.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease. The condition is associated with the inability to produce the chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger within the brain that transmits information between brain cells to signal the body to produce movement. The reduction of dopamine causes symptoms such as tremors, tightening of the muscles, slowing down of and difficulty initiating movement. These indicators can cause a great deal of disability; yet can be successfully managed with physical therapy.

A trained physical therapist will work closely with the patient, and family members, to monitor the condition and improve functional capacity as much as possible. The therapist will conduct an evaluation of gait, balance, coordination, strength and posture. Therapy can help compensate for the changes brought about by the condition. These treatments include learning about new movement techniques, strategies and equipment. A physical therapist can teach exercises to strengthen, stretch and loosen muscles, while maintaining stability and mobility. This can improve your independence and quality of life. Plus, the caregiver can be provided with tools and information to keep the patient mobile with movement patterns and home exercise programs.

At HD Physical Therapy, ADVANCE Magazine's 2013 ‘Best PT Practice Contest’ silver medalist, we are committed to the health and happiness of our patients. Everyday we work to restore each person's maximal function with consistency and compassion. Offering distinctive, inventive and proven rehabilitation treatment, our devoted professionals strive to deliver a successful and enjoyable experience to every patient we meet. HDPT proudly serves the communities of Wakefield, Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, Lynnfield, Saugus, Melrose, Peabody, Stoneham, the North Shore, and Essex County, Massachusetts. For more information about HD Physical Therapy, please call 781-587-0776, or visit www.HDPTonline.com.