For individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, maintaining safety and independence at home is crucial. Falls are a common concern due to balance and mobility issues associated with the condition. However, by making simple adaptations to the home environment, the risk of falls can be significantly reduced. 

Here are practical tips for creating a safe and supportive home environment for Parkinson’s patients and reducing their risk of injuries due to a fall.

Home Safety Adaptations:

Living Areas:

• Rearrange furniture to create wide walking paths, allowing easy maneuvering for walkers.
• Remove throw rugs and clutter from the floor to prevent tripping hazards.
• Keep electrical cords out of the way or secure them to the wall to avoid trips.
• Choose furniture with firm cushions, proper seat height, and good armrests to assist with transfers.
• Ensure proper lighting, especially in areas used at night, with lamps or nightlights to illuminate pathways.

Kitchen:

• Place frequently used items within easy reach, avoiding high shelves or low cabinets that require bending.
• Consider using smaller containers and lighter items to reduce the risk of dropping or spilling.
• Replace cabinet handles or knobs with larger, easier-to-grasp options if necessary.

Bedroom:

• Keep pathways clear of obstacles, throw rugs, and electrical cords.
• Install bedside lamps and nightlights to provide illumination during nighttime trips.
• Consider using a bed rail if needed for assistance with rolling over or getting out of bed.
• Arrange closet shelves at a proper height to avoid excessive reaching or bending.

Bathroom:

• Place rubber-backed bath rugs outside the shower to prevent slipping.
• Avoid decorative throw rugs that can pose a tripping hazard.
• Install grab bars securely near the shower, toilet, and sink.
• Consider using a shower chair or tub bench for added stability during bathing.
• Ensure adequate lighting, especially during nighttime bathroom trips, with the addition of nightlights.

By implementing these home safety adaptations, Parkinson’s patients can minimize fall risks and enjoy greater confidence and independence in their daily activities. Remember, even small changes can make a big difference in promoting safety and well-being at home.

How Does Blood Flow Restriction Therapy Work? The mechanism of action behind blood flow restriction therapy lies in the principle of ischemic preconditioning. When blood flow to a muscle is restricted, it triggers a cascade of physiological responses, including the release of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These growth factors promote muscle hypertrophy, increase muscle protein synthesis, and improve muscle endurance. Additionally, BFR induces a systemic response, including the release of anabolic hormones and activation of satellite cells, further enhancing muscle adaptation.

Blood flow restriction therapy offers a wide range of applications in physical therapy, spanning from post-surgical rehabilitation to sports performance enhancement. Some common uses of BFR in physical therapy include:

1. Post-surgical rehabilitation: BFR can accelerate muscle recovery and prevent muscle atrophy following surgery, allowing patients to regain strength and function more quickly.
2. Injury rehabilitation: BFR enables patients with injuries or orthopedic conditions to perform low-load resistance exercises safely, facilitating muscle strengthening and promoting tissue healing.
3. Strength training: BFR can be used to augment traditional resistance training programs, allowing individuals to achieve significant gains in muscle mass and strength with lighter loads.
4. Sports performance enhancement: Athletes can use BFR to supplement their training regimen, improving muscle endurance, increasing muscle size, and enhancing overall performance.
5. Chronic conditions: BFR may benefit individuals with chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or sarcopenia by improving muscle function and reducing functional limitations.

Blood flow restriction therapy represents a paradigm shift in the field of physical therapy, offering a safe, effective, and innovative approach to rehabilitation. With its ability to stimulate muscle growth, enhance strength, and accelerate recovery, BFR holds immense potential for improving outcomes across various patient populations. Whether used as a standalone intervention or integrated into comprehensive treatment plans, BFR empowers physical therapists to optimize patient care and achieve superior results.

All Atlantic Physical Therapy Center locations offer Blood Flow Restriction (except the Mule Rd. location) No prescription is needed and our physical therapists can evaluate you and will let you know if BFR is a safe and effective technique for your condition. Schedule HERE.

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves spending long hours glued to our chairs, whether it’s at work, during our commute, or even in our leisure time. Sitting may seem harmless, but the truth is, it can have serious consequences for our health. Studies have linked prolonged sitting to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. When we sit for long periods, our metabolism slows down, leading to weight gain and a higher risk of developing chronic conditions. Additionally, sitting for extended periods can weaken our muscles, leading to poor posture and back pain. These consequences are why it has even been dubbed “the new smoking”.

The good news is that there’s a simple solution to combat the negative effects of sitting: movement. Incorporating regular movement breaks into our day can help counteract the harmful effects of prolonged sitting. Even short bursts of activity, such as taking a quick walk around the office or doing a few stretches, can make a big difference in our overall health. Movement not only helps improve circulation and boost metabolism but also strengthens muscles, improves posture, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

Here are Tips for Incorporating Movement into Your Day:

1. Take regular breaks: Set a timer to remind yourself to get up and move every hour.
   
2. Stretch: Incorporate stretching exercises into your daily routine to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension.
   
3. Stand up: Consider using a standing desk or adjustable workstation to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.
   
4. Walk whenever possible: Take the long way to the bathroom, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park farther away to sneak in extra steps.
   
5. Find activities you enjoy: Whether it’s yoga, dancing, or gardening, find activities that get you moving and make them a regular part of your routine.
   

Sitting may be the new smoking when it comes to its impact on our health, but the good news is that we have the power to change our habits. By incorporating more movement into our daily lives, we can counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting and improve our overall health and well-being. So, the next time you find yourself tempted to stay glued to your chair, remember the importance of getting up and moving. Your body will thank you for it!

If you find yourself sitting due to weakness or the pain of standing and moving, reach out to us here. No prescription is needed and our physical therapists can evaluate you and will let you know if your condition warrants further diagnostic testing.

With many conditions, (especially with acute injuries or chronic arthritis) there is a specific pattern to our pain: 

1. I feel good when I am sitting or still
2. I have pain when I initially go to move and get up, often having to take several steps before my pain begins to subside 
3. Once I get going the pain starts to get better 
4. If I am too active for too long I start to have pain again 
5. I sit down and rest and I feel better
6. I go to get up and I have pain again 
7. The cycle repeats all day long.  

If this sounds like you, you want to MOVE BEFORE YOU MOVE.  

It is rare in our lives that we must get up emergently to attend to some “disaster” that required immediate attention. You probably can’t think of many (or any) in your recent memory. So more often than not we know we are going to get up.

 “When the next commercial comes on, I am going to go get a drink.” 

“When I finish this chapter of the book, I am going to get a snack.” 

“When I finish this game of candy crush, I am going to start making lunch.” 

So, what we need to do in those last few moments before we get up, is get our body primed and ready for activity.  

If you have knee pain with getting up:

Before you actually stand up, while sitting, march your legs 10 to 20 times, then kick your legs 10 – 20 times. Move your legs and then get up.  

If you have pain in your low back:

Roll your pelvis forwards and back, tip your trunk left and right, rotate your trunk left and right. If you are laying on your back, pull your knee to your chest and alternate legs; bend your knees then roll your knees left and right. Get the spine and hips moving a little. Then get out of bed.  

For more specific tips on how “Moving Before You Move” can help, schedule an appointment with your local APTC office.  

Jeremy Breden is the Clinic Director and PT at the Manalapan location.

Call Us: 877-963-3378

Spending a lot of time sitting at your desk? Take a movement break!

It’s important to stand up and move every 30-60 minutes. Here are some simple and easy stretches for your upper back and shoulders: