Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. are currently living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), with 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Chances are you know someone with this degenerative condition. RVNAhealth Physical Therapist, and Outpatient Practice Manager, Kate Campbell, PT, DPT, SCS, Cert. MDT, CSCS, LSVT BIG is on a mission to spread the word about Parkinson’s treatment and early intervention techniques. “Many PD-diagnosed patients are not aware that exercise and physical activity can have tremendous positive impact on the symptoms and progress of Parkinson’s Disease,” says Campbell.

The Parkinson’s Foundation, along with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), recently published an updated recommendation for exercise and physical activity for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s. This recommendation includes exercise frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression of exercises that are safe and effective. Its suggested activities span across aerobic activity, strength training, stretching, and balance, agility, and multitasking. It also recommends starting any physical activity program with a visit to a physical therapist specializing in Parkinson’s!

“RVNAhealth has invested in research-backed certifications and rehabilitation therapy and exercise programs for those affected by PD,” says Campbell. “We want people diagnosed with Parkinson’s to understand there are proactive steps they can take, within their control, to help slow the progression of the disease. An RVNAhealth Parkinson’s-specialized therapist can help customize and layout those recommended steps.”

RVNAhealth therapists are certified in LSVT BIG and LSVT LOUD – research-based, gold standard programs used in the evaluation and treatment of people with Parkinson’s. In addition to offering home-health treatment programs, we also offer treatment and exercise programs at our Ridgefield-based Rehabilitation & Wellness Center. “In alignment with the Parkinson’s Foundation and ACSM exercise recommendations, RVNAhealth offers many types of programs that can benefit anyone affected by PD.  Our weekly classes are open to anyone in the public that would like to register and drop in for a class. While we encourage anyone with PD to engage in healthy, stage-appropriate exercise routines, we really want to spread the word to encourage individuals to start a routine early and often following a PD diagnosis,” says Campbell.

More information about RVNAhealth’s Parkinson’s programs, please visit our website or contact us at 203.438.7862 or rehab@rvnahealth.org.

Learn More About Our Current Ongoing Class Offerings Open To The Public:

Balance and Beyond   – Every Tuesday & Thursday, 12 – 1pm. An ongoing drop-in class (come for one or come for all!) that focuses on building muscle, restoring balance, and improving your walk or jog, all while giving your brain a great workout! Location: RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Register here to attend. Nominal fee for each class.

Strength & Beyond – Every Tuesday & Thursday, 1 – 2pm. An ongoing drop-in class (come for one or come for all!) that focuses on building muscle and bones, improving cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and beyond!  Location: RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Register here to attend. Nominal fee for each class.

Living BIG – Ongoing weekly drop-in class. Living BIG addresses the problem of patients’ movements becoming smaller and more tentative as Parkinson’s Disease progresses. Each class, the therapist takes the patient through a series of whole-body LSVT BIG exercises aimed at improving strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination. Exercises are all exaggerated to reinforce that the patient needs to make his or her movements bigger. Location: RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Email RehabCenter@rvnahealth.org to sign up. Nominal fee for each class.

Living LOUD – Ongoing weekly drop-in class. Living LOUD tackles the soft voice, mumbled speech, monotone speech and hoarse voice that often afflict Parkinson’s patients. Structured activities that work the patient’s vocal range teach them to increase volume without straining their voices.  In each session, the therapist takes the class through a series of rigorous vocal exercises that alternate between loud and soft. Location: RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Email RehabCenter@rvnahealth.org to sign up.  Nominal fee for each class.

Living BIG addresses the problem of patients’ movements becoming smaller and more tentative as Parkinson’s Disease progresses. Weekly activities will include group work as well as individual exercises with other participants facilitated by an LSVT BIG therapist. Classes take the patient through a series of whole-body LSVT BIG exercises aimed at improving strength, balance, flexibility and coordination. Exercises are all exaggerated to reinforce that the patient needs to make his or her movements bigger.

To learn more about the Living BIG program, please call (203) 438-7862   or email rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org.

As an enhancement to RVNAhealth’s Balance & Beyond classes, we are pleased to present our new class, “Strength and Beyond”!

This class, a level up from our original Balance and Beyond class,  is designed to build strength, restore balance, improve your mobility all while giving your brain a great workout!

This higher intensity interval training class will have you moving through a series of upper and lower body strengthening, functional mobility, balance and cognitive stations all customized to meet your fitness level and goals.

This program is geared towards everyone with a focus of those finding it difficult to start an exercise program or those who need help progressing their current exercise program.  Exercises are also specific for osteoporosis treatment and prevention. What a great way to exercise in a group and meet new people. Bring your friends and exercise together!

Andrea de Lange is experienced Physical Therapist and certified LSVT BIG practitioner with a long history of working with the outpatient orthopedic and neurological population. She possesses a strong background in the treatment of spine, extremity injuries and pain, as well as neurological impairment, with a focus on people with Parkinson’s disease.

RVNAhealth’s Strength & Beyond classes are offered every Thursday from 1:30pm-2:30pm at RVNAhealth’s offsite class location – Steel Fitness – located at 62 Danbury Road, Ridgefield.

Class fees are $30 per class and registration is required in advance, as attendance is limited. Please call 203.438.7862 or email rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org to sign up in advance and facilitate payment and check-in.

1st TIME ATTENDEES PLEASE REGISTER HERE TO RECEIVE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO PARTICPATE.

For questions, please contact the RVNAhealth Therapy Center at 203.438.7862 or rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org.

RVNAhealth is excited to announce the introduction of its new public fitness class, “Balance & Beyond.” An ongoing twice-weekly drop-in class (come for one or come for all!) that focuses on building muscle, restoring balance, and improving your walk or jog, all while giving your brain a great workout!

Balance can be a life essential to preventing falls and keeping daily activities of life within our control. The old adage of “use it or lose it’ doesn’t ring truer when it comes to strength. This is why Andrea deLange, RVNAhealth Physical Therapist, is so passionate about bringing balance and strength classes to the public.

“This program is beneficial for so many people — whether you are looking to improve your strength or balance for quality of life, or you are looking for a customized fitness program to assist with medical conditions such as Parkinson’s, arthritis, or autoimmune disorders,” says deLange. “This circuit training class will have you moving through a series of stations including boxing, agility training, and functional mobility conditioning – all customized to meet your fitness levels and goals. And there is plenty of time for questions and personalized instruction and feedback!”

Andrea deLange is an experienced Physical Therapist and certified LSVT BIG practitioner with a long history of working with the outpatient orthopedic and neurological population. She possesses a strong background in the treatment of spine, extremity injuries and pain, as well as neurological impairment, with a focus on people with Parkinson’s disease.

RVNAhealth’s Balance & Beyond classes are offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30pm-2:30pm at the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center located at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield. Class fees are $20 per class and registration is required in advance, as attendance is limited. To register or for questions, please contact the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center at 203.438.7862, or email RehabCenter@rvnahealth.org.

What one exercise would you pick to do every day for the rest of your life? RVNAhealth’s Outpatient Practice Manager and Physical Therapist, Kate Campbell, DPT, shares her own answer!

I’ve been working in sports and orthopedics for over 15 years and added geriatrics to the mix since 2015. I’ve seen athletes in the prime of their physical condition. I’ve seen active dads and moms in shape from running after toddlers and lifting kids. And I’ve seen the workaholic train commuters lucky enough to not have chronic physical conditions…yet. But, with the normal progression of life and retirement from work, most will see their physical activity decrease.

Our bodies no longer need to maintain the ability to chase toddlers, lift multiple grocery bags up the stairs at once, or run to make that train. This means our bodies are not utilizing their full capabilities. My geriatric patients are shocked that their bodies can no longer do what they expect. “If you don’t use it, you lose it” couldn’t hold more truth!

I went on a personal mission to figure out what exercise I could tell anyone to do every day to maintain physical performance — enough for safety and success in “super senior” years (age 80+). I asked myself, “Does this exercise help maintain strength in the legs, arms, and core, maximize balance, flexibility, and joint motion?”

Then, I found a simple answer! Get on the floor and get back up again. It was found in the Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine in 2015 that those who cannot do it in 8.8 seconds have poorer balance and are more likely to fall.

To start, put both knees on the ground one at a time and lower yourself to your belly. Then, roll yourself over to lay flat on your back. This is also a great opportunity to stretch out your spine! Then to come back up, roll to your belly and press up to all fours and gently lift yourself. If needed, use a chair for stability.

Doing this simple exercise daily strengthens basic core muscles and those needed to recover from a potential fall. For other balance-building exercise demonstrations, visit: https://rvnahealth.org/balance/.

For more information about RVNAhealth’s Rehabilitation and Wellness services, call: 203.438.7862 or visit our website.