April is Parkinson's Awareness Month

We have a special focus on a specific treatment method for patients living with Parkinson’s disease. By partnering with nationally-recognized Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (or LSVT) many years ago, we are able to assist patients better than ever before.

LSVT is an innovative method for improving both voice and speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, a problem often associated with the neurodegenerative disorder. LSVT offers expanded physical and occupational therapy methods to assist in specific needs of individuals with Parkinson’s disease as well as aging and other conditions including stroke, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, to name a few. We’ve long-implemented the LSVT LOUD for our hearing-needs patients and LSVT BIG for our physical-needs patients because this technology gives our nurses and physical therapists even greater tools than ever before. Those with Parkinson’s disease have reduced vocal loudness, sound monotone and often hoarse or breathy voices. The LSVT LOUD technique, however, is a clinically-proven method to improve not only vocal loudness, but also articulation. LSVT BIG is delivered by a physical or occupational therapist, and the program has proven to show marked improvement in trunk rotation/gait, improved speed in upper/lower limbs; balance, and overall quality of life.

We are constantly striving to provide our patients the very best care, and this is just one more tool that allows us to do just that.