Parkinson’s Disease can benefit from therapy.
Michael J Fox is an extremely talented actor, best known for this roles in, Back To The Future, Doc Hollywood and was a regular visitor in people’s living rooms every week on Family Ties. You may have heard on the news about Fox and his condition, Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Fox was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease in 1991, when he was 29.
To see an interview with Michael J Fox click on the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZQhp3yEgYM
“Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60.”1. It is uncommon for a young person to develop PD, the average age for developing the condition being 601. PD can be recognised by its physical symptoms, such as uncontrollable movements, slurred speech and balance problems. Other not so well known symptoms include cognitive impairment, mood disorders, unexplained pain and interestingly – the loss of smell. There is no known cure for PD; however it can be managed with medication, in some cases surgery and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes, aids and equipment, exercises and rehabilitation have been shown to help the symptoms of PD become more manageable and prevent secondary problems. Therefore, allied health therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, podiatry, etc. play an important part.
If you have any questions on Parkinson’s Disease, whether it be coping with a new diagnosis or wanting more information on how My Rehab Team’s mobile therapy/rehabilitation services can help, please contact us on 1300 4 MY REHAB (1300 469 734) or email: info@myrehabteam.com.au.
Sources:
1https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?causes
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici, at Free Digital Photo. [Online] Available at: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/3d-parkinsons-disease-symbol-isolated-on-white-mental-health-s-photo-p286441 (Accessed on 3rd December, 2014)