Parkinson’s Physiotherapy
Parkinson’s Rehabilitation in Tauranga, Papamoa & Mount Maunganui
Living with Parkinson’s can make everyday movements feel harder than they used to. Walking may become slower, turning more difficult, balance less reliable and movements smaller or more effortful. Over time, these changes can affect confidence, independence and your ability to do the things that are important to you.
The Rehab Team provides expert neurological physiotherapy for people living with Parkinson’s, with a focus on maintaining movement, function and independence throughout the different stages of the condition.
Neurological rehabilitation is what we do. The Rehab Team works with people living with neurological conditions every day. Our clinicians have a strong understanding of how changes in the brain and nervous system affect movement, balance and function.
We provide in-home Parkinson’s physiotherapy throughout Tauranga, Papamoa, Mount Maunganui and surrounding areas, allowing us to assess your movement and function in the environment where you actually live.
Why is physiotherapy important in Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, but there is a lot you can do to actively manage its impact on your movement and function.
Our clinicians have additional training in Parkinson’s specific rehab approaches such as PD warrior and LSVT BIG and draw on these approaches alongside their experience to assess how you move, identify the specific movement problems affecting you and help you practise strategies that can be transferred into everyday activities.
Research suggests that exercise and motor rehabilitation can promote neuroplastic changes in the brain, although the extent to which these changes influence the progression of Parkinson’s remains an area of ongoing research.
How can physiotherapy help with Parkinson’s?
Your rehabilitation will be based on your individual symptoms, movement difficulties, abilities and goals. Physiotherapy may include:
Walking and movement: Working on walking speed, stride length, movement size and the ability to move more efficiently and confidently.
Freezing and difficulty turning: Practical strategies and external cues to help with initiating movement, turning and managing freezing episodes.
Balance and falls prevention: Assessment and rehabilitation of balance, strength, postural control and stepping reactions to help you move more safely.
Stiffness and posture: Mobility, strengthening and movement strategies to help manage stiffness and maintain effective posture and movement.
Everyday movement: Practising activities such as getting out of a chair, turning in bed, getting in and out of a car and navigating stairs.
Exercise and physical fitness: A personalised exercise programme may include aerobic exercise, strengthening, balance, flexibility, movement amplitude and functional training.
Exercise is appropriately dosed and progressed according to your Parkinson’s symptoms, medication timing, fatigue, balance, cardiovascular health and other individual factors.
Parkinson’s rehabilitation is a long-term approach
Parkinson’s rehabilitation is not something you need to wait for until your symptoms become severe.
Starting early allows you to understand your movement, establish good exercise habits and identify changes before they significantly affect your independence. Physiotherapy can be useful at all stages of Parkinson’s, from shortly after diagnosis through to later stages when the focus may shift towards maintaining mobility, safety and quality of life.
Your rehabilitation programme should also change as you do. We can reassess your movement and adjust your exercise, strategies and goals as your Parkinson’s and circumstances change.
Think of Parkinson’s rehabilitation as playing the long game — building habits and strategies that support you over time.
Atypical Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism can occur as part of several different neurological conditions. Atypical parkinsonism refers to conditions that can cause Parkinson’s-like movement difficulties but have additional features and may respond differently to treatment.
Examples include Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).
Physiotherapy can still play an important role in maintaining mobility, managing balance and falls risk, supporting safe movement and maximising independence. Rehabilitation is tailored to the specific presentation and needs of each person.
How The Rehab Team can help
At The Rehab Team, neurological rehabilitation is what we do every day. Our Neurological Physiotherapists work with people living with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions, giving us a strong understanding of how changes in the brain and nervous system can affect movement and function.
Whether you have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or have been living with the condition for many years, we can help you understand your movement, stay active and develop strategies to maintain your independence.
Contact The Rehab Team today to arrange a Parkinson’s physiotherapy assessment