Understanding It
What Parkinson's Disease Is
Parkinson's disease occurs when nerve cells in a part of the brain that produces dopamine gradually stop working. Dopamine is central to the control of movement, and its loss produces the characteristic motor symptoms.
It is progressive, meaning symptoms change over time, but the rate varies considerably between individuals. Medication managed by a GP, neurologist or Parkinson's nurse is the mainstay of treatment. Allied health works alongside that medical management.
Non-motor symptoms (fatigue, sleep disturbance, constipation, low mood, and changes to thinking) are often as significant to daily life as the movement symptoms, and are frequently under-discussed.
How does it usually present?
- Tremor, often starting in one hand at rest
- Slowness of movement, and movements becoming smaller over time
- Muscle stiffness and rigidity
- Reduced arm swing, shuffling steps, and difficulty starting to walk
- Freezing: feet feeling stuck to the floor, often in doorways or when turning
- Reduced facial expression
- Quieter, less clear speech
- Smaller handwriting
- Difficulty turning over in bed and getting out of a chair
- Swallowing difficulty as the condition progresses
- Balance problems and falls, usually in later stages
When to Act
When to Seek Help
Diagnosis is made by a GP or neurologist. See your GP if you notice tremor, slowness, stiffness or changes in walking.
Seek urgent medical care if the person has:
- A sudden marked deterioration in movement, alertness or confusion — this may indicate infection, medication problems or another acute issue, not disease progression
- Coughing, choking, or a wet gurgly voice during or after eating or drinking, or repeated chest infections — this may indicate swallowing difficulty and aspiration risk, and needs speech pathology and medical assessment
- A fall with a head strike, particularly on blood-thinning medication
- Inability to take Parkinson's medication for any reason — missed doses can cause rapid deterioration and needs same-day medical advice
- New hallucinations or marked confusion — which can relate to medication and needs review
How We Help
How Our Team Can Help
Therapy is most useful when it is ongoing and reviewed periodically rather than delivered as a single block and stopped.
Physiotherapy
Evidence supports exercise in Parkinson's, particularly large-amplitude, high-effort movement. Work focuses on walking, step length, turning, freezing strategies, balance, transfers, getting out of chairs and turning in bed, and falls prevention. Programs need regular review as symptoms change.
Occupational Therapy
Daily tasks such as dressing, showering and meal preparation; strategies for fatigue and cognitive change; equipment and home modifications; handwriting and fine motor strategies; and maintaining work, driving and community participation for as long as possible.
Speech Pathology
Voice volume and clarity, which respond well to targeted therapy, and assessment and management of swallowing difficulty.
Nursing
Medication timing is critical in Parkinson's, and supporting accurate administration is a genuinely important role. Also constipation management, which is common and under-treated.
Starting Out
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Assessment happens at home, in your environment. Your clinician will ask how symptoms fluctuate through the day and in relation to medication timing: this matters, as function can differ markedly between doses.
They will assess movement, walking, transfers, balance and daily tasks relevant to their discipline, and screen for swallowing and falls risk. You will agree goals and a program you can maintain, with reports to your GP, neurologist or Parkinson's nurse.
Ready to book?
Ready to get started?
Contact inOne Healthcare on 1300 765 456 or submit a referral online. Parkinson's is supported by our Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Nursing teams.
info@inonehealthcare.com.au
Flexible Options
Funding we accept.
NDIS
Support at Home
AT-HM scheme
Medicare
Private
Free 20min Consultation
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