Changing positions in Parkinson’s disease can be difficult and can be affected by various motor symptoms such as bradykinesia (slowness of movement), muscle stiffness and tremors. Daily movements such as getting out of the bed or getting up from a chair can be challenging.
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, complex motor sequences may no longer be done automatically. In order to improve daily life activities and maintain one’s independence, it is advised to start working with a physiotherapist as soon as possible.
Your physiotherapist will show you how to solve such movement problems by breaking down a complex task into different sections and consciously doing one step at a time. Concentrate on each step, look into the direction of the movement and take your time. The strategy is adapted to your needs. Make sure that if you want to practice getting out of bed for example, you find the right pillow and mattress for you. A strategy needs to be practised, tried at home and improved with your physiotherapist until it works for you.
Mariella Graziano has been a physiotherapist for Parkinson’s disease for 30 years. In the video below, she is talking and illustrating about transfer strategies for people with for Parkinson’s disease, together with Koen with whom she works regularly!
- Check out how you can improve your motor symptoms through dancing, and stretching.
- Check out the other videos in the “Physiotherapy and Parkinson’s disease” series
- Find a specialised physiotherapist in your area!