Physiotherapy for Parkinson’s Disease in London
Parkinson’s Disease
When movement feels difficult, it’s easy to start avoiding the things you used to do. But with the right guidance, you can keep your body moving, your steps steady, and your confidence strong.
If you’re living with Parkinson’s Disease, Physit is with you for every step of the journey, working with you to manage your symptoms with care that’s practical, personalised, and focused on staying independent, active, and safe for as long as possible.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological condition that affects the way that your brain sends messages to your muscles. As time passes, those messages become slower or less precise, which can make movement feel harder or less automatic than it used to be.
It can often be recognised by signs like a tremor in one hand, stiffness in the limbs, or a slower pace when walking. But Parkinson’s can also affect your posture, balance, coordination, expressions and tone of voice, and even small daily tasks like buttoning a shirt or turning over in bed.
Although Parkinson’s can’t be cured, there is a lot that can be done to manage how it affects your movement and independence. With the right kind of physiotherapy that is focused on balance, strength, and mobility, many people find that they can move more freely, feel more stable, and continue doing all of the things that matter most to them.
It all comes down to consistent, customised support – and that’s exactly what we provide at Physit.
Common Symptoms and Signs of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s can affect each person a little bit differently, and the symptoms that come along with it often change from day to day. Some are easy to spot, while others can be more subtle at first. Here are a few of the most common signs:
- Tremors, often starting in one hand or arm
- Stiffness in the limbs or reduced arm swing
- Slower movement or a feeling of being “stuck” when walking
- Shuffling steps or changes in posture
- Balance issues or increased risk of falls
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks like buttoning clothes
- Changes in facial expression or speech
- Fatigue or reduced confidence when moving
These symptoms can make everyday tasks, like walking through a busy space, getting dressed, or even enjoying a conversation with family or friends, feel more demanding than they used to. But you’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to stay that way.
While Parkinson’s symptoms can vary, a consistent physiotherapy plan can help you move more freely, reducing your risk of falls, and helping you regain your stability and confidence.
What Can Increase Your Risk or Worsen Symptoms?
With Parkinson’s, your symptoms can shift from day to day, sometimes even hour to hour. While the condition itself is progressive, there are also certain factors that can make movement feel more difficult or even increase your risk of falls, fatigue, or stiffness. Being aware of these different triggers can help you always stay one step ahead.
- Progressive changes in dopamine levels: Parkinson’s affects how much dopamine your brain produces. This is a chemical messenger that helps control smooth, coordinated movement in your body. As your dopamine levels change, you may notice more stiffness, feelings of slowness, or difficulty starting movement.
- Long periods of inactivity or bed rest: Staying still for too long can lead to increased stiffness and muscle weakness. Regular, gentle movement throughout the day can help keep your body more responsive and more mobile.
- Stress, fatigue, or illness: Emotional stress and excess physical strain can make symptoms worse. You may feel slower or less coordinated during or after periods of fatigue or illness, even if you’re following your usual routine.
- Certain medications or delays in dosage: Timing is very important when it comes to taking your Parkinson’s medications. Missing a dose or taking it late can make your symptoms more noticeable until your next dose takes effect.
- Loss of confidence or fear of falling: It’s common to become more cautious when you feel unsteady, but hesitating too much can actually increase your risk of a fall. Guided movement and confidence-building exercises can make a big difference.
- Changes in routine, environment, or physical demands: New environments or unfamiliar tasks can sometimes throw off your usual rhythm, especially if they involve multitasking or fast-paced movement.
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s begins with changes that happen deep inside the brain, specifically in an area called the substantia nigra. This part of the brain plays an important role in helping you move smoothly and steadily. It does this by producing a chemical called dopamine, which acts like a messenger between your brain and your muscles.
Over time, the nerve cells that produce dopamine begin to slow down or die off. As your dopamine levels drop, it becomes harder for the brain to send clear signals to the rest of your body. That’s what leads to symptoms like stiffness, slower movement, tremors, and balance challenges.
Researchers still don’t know the exact reason why this happens. But most believe it’s linked to a combination of genetics, age-related changes, and environmental factors, like exposure to certain toxins or long-term stress on the nervous system.
What’s important to remember is that while we can’t change the cause, there’s a lot we can do to help your body respond better. With neurological physiotherapy and movement-based care, it’s absolutely possible to stay mobile, stay safe, and stay confident in your abilities and your daily life.
How Physit Can Help
Parkinson’s may affect how you move, but it doesn’t have to define what you can do. At Physit, we help you build confidence in your body again through thoughtful, hands-on care that meets you exactly where you are. We come to your home, so every session is familiar, focused, thoroughly planned, and fully personalised to your goals.
Our approach is all about keeping your movement safe and purposeful. Because Parkinson’s symptoms can shift over time, we create flexible plans that adapt along with you, helping you stay steady, mobile, and as independent as possible.
Here’s a look at what your treatment may include.
- Work with our specialised neurological physiotherapy partners: We partner with specialised neurophysiotherapists who are trained to help you relearn and adapt movements to suit your daily life throughout your experience with Parkinson’s.
- Balance and gait training: We use gentle, guided movements to help improve balance, reduce your risk of falls, and create a smoother, more confident walking pattern.
- Strengthening and stretching: Building strength (especially in the legs, hips, and core) can help with stability, while focused stretches can ease muscle stiffness and improve your comfort levels.
- Cueing techniques to manage “freezing”: If you’ve ever felt like your feet are stuck to the floor, we can introduce simple cueing tools (like rhythmic tapping, counting, or visual markers) that help your brain and body reconnect.
- Postural training: Parkinson’s can lead to stooping or a forward-leaning posture. We help strengthen the muscles that assist upright movement, making it easier to stand tall and feel more balanced.
- Support with everyday movements: Whether it’s getting out of bed, climbing stairs, or moving between rooms, we guide you through the motions that matter most in daily life, so that you can stay active and self-reliant.
- Energy planning and symptom awareness: We help you tune into how your energy changes throughout the day and teach you how to pace your movement and activity in a way that feels steady and manageable.
- Ongoing progress tracking: Your plan evolves as you do. We regularly check in on your progress, adjust your exercises, and celebrate every step forward, big or small!
With Physit, you get more than exercises. You get expert care, guidance that makes sense in your real, day-to-day life, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re supported every step of the way.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Parkinson’s Disease
1. Can physiotherapy help with Parkinson’s?
Yes, it absolutely can! In fact, physiotherapy is often recommended as part of ongoing care for Parkinson’s. Regular, guided movement helps keep up your strength, improve your balance and coordination, reduce the risk of falls, and support your ability to stay independent in daily life. It’s all about helping your body move in ways that feel steadier, natural, and doable.
2. Is it too late to start physiotherapy if symptoms are advanced?
Not at all! While starting early can be helpful, it’s never too late to benefit from a personalised physiotherapy plan. We tailor your care to where you are right now, whether you’re just starting to notice changes or are trying to navigate more advanced symptoms. Every session is designed to help with what matters most to you.
3. Do I need a diagnosis to start physiotherapy?
Having a diagnosis can help guide treatment in the right direction, but it’s not required to begin. Our physiotherapists can assess your movement and challenges in your first visit and create a plan that’s safe and effective. We can also work alongside your GP or neurologist to make sure everything aligns with your broader care plan.
4. Do I need a referral to work with Physit?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with us for an in-home assessment, and we’ll handle the rest, creating a personalised care plan that fits your routine, your space, and your comfort.
Helping You Stay Strong, Steady, and Independent
Living with Parkinson’s brings change, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your rhythm, your independence, or any of the things that make you feel like you!
With Physit, you don’t need to travel or wait around in busy clinics. We come to you, bringing expert physiotherapy that’s tailored to your needs, your pace, and your goals. Whether you want to move more confidently, feel steadier on your feet, or simply stay active in your own way, we’re here to help.
