I had PT this morning. It didn't help that I tripped over a small plastic rail as I was trying to walk with my eyes closed. She declared I drag my left leg. I explained I had peroneal nerve entrapment causing foot drop but she shrugged her shoulders at that. So I've got U-TUBE videos to study.
I go back this afternoon for neurologic assessment and maybe a Botox treatment on my arm.
The tendency to drag or drop the foot on the affected side is a Parkinson's symptom.
No, physical therapy is not a scam.
Hillari Olson is a PD physical therapist at the Minneapolis VA. She has videos on YouTube.
You will be in bad shape if you do not ever do physical therapy.
youtube.com/watch?v=AK7smZX...
The therapist said to U-tube PWR Moves. That brought up a bunch of videos on training Posture, Weight shifts, Trunk Rotations and Transitions. Only ten reps of each group. Seems too easy to be helpful but I'll try.
As simple as this seems, the rest of the afternoon was spent on impossible brain games. I lost focus often. He showed a drawing of a pelican, the state bird of Louisiana, I said it was a Platypus. I'm from Louisiana, in vet school I treated hundreds, how could I get that wrong?
He said I have a lot of executive action deficits. He's a psychologist and recommends increasing the Sinemet dose but it's not his call. The neurologist decides that. He plans to refer me to someone who decides whether I lose my driving license.
All-in-all not a good day.
So how is it a scam?
If it seems too easy, she invites you to do more reps, faster. Or, hold two pound weights in your hand. I do the exercise for 3 pound ankle weights. Makes a difference.
Driving is important to me.
PT is crucial for me but im mid-late stage ..........ive been wearing down right foot boot heels since highschool.......never would have known if it werent for the boot heels wearing unevenly............also getting ready for botox along spine for dystonia.......cheers!
You said you tripped over a small plastic rail while walking with your eyes closed. Could you say more about that? Was the small plastic rail part of the test?
Was the rail on the floor? Were you walking without assistance?
The nurse laid the items on the floor and said to cross them. I was wearing heavy winter boots and didn't lift my left foot high enough to miss the small rails. This was while other distractors were going on: One guy walking backwards with the nurses' help, another walking up and down a small staircase as a third guy tries to put on a coat with his arm flailing in response. And Springsteen playing on the PA system. All while worrying the 19-month pregnant nurse was approaching pre-labor. The PWR! exercises were all done seated, I assume because I'd been whining about back pain. The online versions are all done standing. Eventually I'll head out to the shed where the treadmill is. I'll practice seated and standing PWR! exercises before using the treadmill.
It was very depressing when the neuropsychologist was talking about dementia and potential loss of driving license. But then he mentioned Appalachian Trail groups that meet regularly for hiking seminars. I'm in Connecticut an hour or so from the Trail.
I've had good experiences with PT. Every time a new symptom starts--for example, my foot started to kick out when I walked--I visit the PT and she gives me relatively simple exercises to work on. She may only have me do 10 reps twice a day of something, but the key is to do them consistently, day-in-and-day-out for weeks and the problem is minimized.
Maybe she could use a phone to film what she says is your foot dragging, especially compared with the other one. Can you get near a beach or place with sand or soft earth and see what is left behind as you walk through it? Can also do by spreading flour or uncooked oatmeal flakes or pellets on a dark hard floor and walking through it, or coffee on a light floor. Yes PT is real.
When you search YouTube, use “PWR!” instead of just PWR. PWR! is specific to PD & based on the BIG program, I’m told.
I don’t think PT is a scam. I have back issues and I wouldn’t be functional without it. However, the key as others have pointed out is consistency and a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist in my opinion.
I have "Toe Drop " which shows up randomly... my home grown solution to bring in 'the Executive decision " in the brain, 🧠 to foot, Raise those toes dummy, raise Toes more cause it hurts ... All this is executed consciously, till you trip the next time. In my mind it is the repetition so it is done unconciously. You may have to build new neurol pathways, hence reps are king. Oh forgot to say I fast walk the dog on a rough rock strewn caterpillar built "road". I seldom get away scott free, ie no trips.
Have fun.
Yes what Sapeye says.
My husband went to PT until he could get a paper copy and do the same exercises at home. Its helpful to exercise but being with so many other patients and sharing the PTs time was confusing and tiring for him.
I’m a PT with PD ❓😱❗️I have been a PT for 35 years and I have had PD for 20 years plus... I retired 10 years ago.
I agree with much of the comments and advice proceeding my response. I do have some additional input though.
I just accidentally hit the send!!
I would consider that the relationship between patient and clinician is frequently as important as the actual content of the treatment. It’s some what like the placebo effect where sugar pills can do phenomenally good with serious symptoms. The inverse is true with the nocebo effect... the correct intervention fails due to the fact that the relationship between the patient and the doctor was poor.
If you are comfortable with your therapist and your not being jeopardize d safety wise then your in a okay situation.
However if the inverse is the case then you might consider a different therapist. Perception is just that important!
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