Are you looking for physical therapy treatment for Parkinson’s Disease in Spokane Valley, WA? If so, you’re in the right spot! Our team of highly trained therapists can help you (or a loved one) slow or even STOP the progression of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), while working on improving your ability to move freely and confidently and lowering your risk of having a fall.

We help you accomplish these goals with our unique blend of “HIIT Training” and PWRMoves! exercises, which are detailed in the videos below. Another unique aspect of our Parkinson’s program is that we offer group classses, which are extremely helpful for our patients with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as their spouses and family caregivers. Call or text us today at (509) 892-5442 if you’re ready to get started with our Parkinson’s program or if you’d like more information!

Meet our team of Parkinson’s specialists (above): Stacey Kent (PTA), Hannah Lewis (PTA), Sharon Hall (DPT) and Emma Wagley (DPT) at the recent HOPE Conference in Spokane Valley.

What is “HIIT Training” for Parkinson’s?

“HIIT Training” (aka High Intensity Interval Training) is one of the best things people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can do to slow the progression of the disease. In fact, there’s even evidence that HIIT Training, combined with functional exercise can STOP and even reverse the progression of Parkinson’s!

In the video below, listen to Sharon Hall (DPT, NCS) and Hannah Lewis (PTA) explain why HIIT Training is so important for people with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as how we use it to help our patients with PD at the clinic.

Here are some of the highlights to the video:

• Using a recumbent bike is a great option, in addition to a treadmill, elliptical, arm bike or fast pole-walking as other HIIT options
• On the bike, here’s our routine: 5 minute warm-up, 15 rounds of 15:45 ratio (high intensity to baseline intensity ratio), 5 minute cool-down
• HIIT Training helps your brain to produce its own dopamine before functional exercises and improves your brain’s ability to improve and retain functional movements
• The level of intensity is key to your brain releasing dopamine HIIT Training helps reduce stiffness and rigidity, especially before PWR!Moves
• Cardiovascular health is often overlooked for people with PD, but the benefits are many: reducing oxidative stress, removing toxins from the brain, improved endorphins in the brain (happy hormones), reduced depression  

What are the PWR!Moves?  

PWR!Moves are the core of our PD-specific functional exercise and physical therapy programs for PD. The four basic  PWR!Moves are designed to target a skill known to deteriorate in people with Parkinson’s Disease, which often leads to loss of mobility and function. The PWR!Moves can be practiced in multiple positions, made progressively more physically and cognitively challenging, and modified to target each person’s unique symptoms individually.

PWR!Moves help you mitigate symptoms and rebuild functionality, no matter how you incorporate them into your life.  They’re beneficial when used in stand-alone exercise classes, integrated into your daily life and activities (recreation, sports, hobbies, etc.), and practiced in physical therapy and exercise therapy settings.

Video about PWR!Moves coming soon!

To join this life-changing program, ask your primary care doctor or your Neurologist (Parkinson’s Doctor) to send your referral to Gordon Physical Therapy. When you start, one of our PTs will perform your evaluation and train you in PWR!Moves, then you’ll be ready for individual and/or group Parkinson’s treatments.

We also have an excellent aquatic therapy program, which is extremely helpful if you have limited balance or difficulty exercising on land (due to fatigue, pain or other safety reasons).

To get started, call or text us today at (509) 892-5442 or fill out one of our online forms!

P.S. We’re now offering PD group exercise classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays! Reach out to us if you’d like to learn more. We accept most major insurance plans and are running our group classes through PT insurance benefits as well. Give us a call today to get started!