Parkinson’s CME Seminar Held
Shown pictured left to right: Jodie Sickels, PT, Holzer Therapy Services, Dr. Amanda McConnell, Holzer Neurologist, and Traci Sisson-Good, MA, CCC-SLP, Holzer Speech Therapist, who presented at the seminar on Parkinson’s disease.
Recently, Holzer held a Continuing Medical Education seminar on Parkinson’s Disease. The event was presented by Dr. Amanda McConnell, Holzer Neurologist, Jodie Sickels, PT, Holzer Therapy Services, and Traci Sisson-Good, MA, CCC-SLP, Holzer Speech Therapist.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects one percent of the population over 55. Typical age of onset for Parkinson’s disease is 55 to 70 years.
“Clinical symptoms include bradykinesia or slowness of movement which is the most characteristic clinical feature, along with resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability or loss of balance,” stated Dr. McConnell. “Nonclinical symptoms of Parkinson’s can include sleep/wake cycle changes, reduced ability to smell, constipation, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, depression and sialorrhea or excessive production of saliva.” Each individual reacts to prescriptions and treatments differently, making the physician/patient important. If sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are causing you difficulties, you might want to take a look at some potential solutions here: www.vigrxdelaywipes.com.
Current research is showing that exercise can improve brain function and may slow disease progression, especially if early onset. The earlier the intervention, the better effects exercise can have on the individual. Holzer Therapy offers a therapy class on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3pm to 4pm at 3561 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis. There is a nominal fee for those attending the class. Exercises are demonstrated and performed to assist those who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Exercise provides hope that with continuous exercise with medication use, it may slow motor deterioration and extend the quality of life.
Sickels commented, “The overall concepts for exercise include beginning as early as possible, use large movements, focus on the action, progressively make the movements more complex, repetition, concentrate on moving bigger and working harder, and to always provide feedback.”
“Parkinson’s is not going to go away, but we are going to help make your life the best it can be,” stated Sisson-Good during her presentation. Changes perceived in speech include quality of voice – increase breath support to produce voice, pitch – decreased ability to vary pitch, duration of voice – inability to produce voicing for ten plus seconds, and volume.
For more information on Parkinson’s disease, or the exercise class offered through Holzer Therapy, please call 1-855-4-HOLZER or email [email protected].
