Are you or a loved one living with Parkinson's disease and struggling with walking, balance, posture, stiffness, or daily movement? Has your neurologist told you that physical therapy is one of the most important treatments to slow progression and protect your quality of life? Do you want one to one care, delivered by a Doctor of Physical Therapy certified in the LSVT BIG program, in the comfort of your own Upper West Side apartment?
Spine Solvers is part of Concierge Pain Relief, Home Physical Therapy, and we provide personalized Parkinson's rehab for clients across Manhattan. Our doctors of physical therapy are trained and certified in LSVT BIG therapy, the gold standard in Parkinson's specific exercise. We help professionals, retirees, and active New Yorkers with Parkinson's move better, feel stronger, and keep their independence. Here is how we do it.
Why Parkinson's disease responds to physical therapy
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition caused by the loss of dopamine producing neurons. Symptoms often include:
- Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement
- Rigidity and stiffness
- Tremors
- Postural instability
- Shuffling gait
- Decreased arm swing
- Loss of balance
- Difficulty turning, and freezing of gait
Without proactive therapy, these symptoms can lead to falls, loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and greater caregiver burden.
The encouraging part is that exercise is one of the most powerful tools to manage Parkinson's symptoms and slow functional decline. Studies show that specific, high amplitude exercise programs like LSVT BIG can improve:
- Walking speed and stride length
- Balance and stability
- Posture and alignment
- Hand dexterity
- Overall quality of life
For people with Parkinson's, physical therapy is not optional. It is essential.
What is LSVT BIG?
LSVT BIG is an intensive, evidence based therapy program designed specifically for people with Parkinson's disease. LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which originally focused on speech therapy, known as LSVT LOUD. LSVT BIG is the physical therapy equivalent, a method that trains clients to move with bigger, more purposeful movements to counteract the small, slow movements Parkinson's causes.
Key components of LSVT BIG include:
- Intensive one to one therapy sessions, typically four times a week for four weeks
- High effort, high amplitude movement training
- Whole body functional movements
- Gait and balance retraining
- Daily carryover exercises
- A focus on neuroplasticity to improve movement patterns
Research shows that LSVT BIG can improve mobility, balance, and quality of life, even in later stages of Parkinson's.
Why choose us
Spine Solvers, part of Concierge Pain Relief, provides what most therapy clinics cannot:
- One to one treatment with a doctor of physical therapy
- Certified LSVT BIG therapists
- Home based care anywhere on the Upper West Side
- A private Midtown office at 119 West 57th Street, Suite 212, when you prefer to come to us
We help our clients:
- Walk safely and confidently again
- Improve balance and reduce fall risk
- Loosen stiffness and improve posture
- Strengthen core and leg muscles
- Reduce shuffling and freezing of gait
- Maintain independence and dignity
- Regain function in daily activities
And we do it on your terms: in your home, in your office, or in our private Midtown office. No clinic waiting rooms, and no rushed appointments.
How we structure Parkinson's rehab
Step 1: Comprehensive evaluation
We start with a detailed assessment of:
- Balance and fall risk
- Walking mechanics and gait analysis
- Posture and flexibility
- Strength and endurance
- Arm swing and dexterity
- Freezing of gait patterns
We also review your Parkinson's subtype, stage, and medication schedule so we can time therapy well.
Step 2: LSVT BIG core program
We deliver the full LSVT BIG protocol, which is high effort and repetition based:
- Four times a week for four weeks, or adapted to your needs
- High effort, big movements
- Daily homework exercises
- Whole body functional tasks such as big arm swings while walking, big stepping drills, big reaching and bending, and big turns and transitions
Step 3: Hands on manual therapy
Alongside LSVT BIG, we provide:
- Soft tissue mobilization for tight back, hip, and neck muscles
- Myofascial release to reduce stiffness and improve movement
- Trigger point release for painful areas
- Joint mobilization to improve flexibility
Step 4: Balance and walking training
- Dynamic balance drills
- Single leg stability work
- Stepping reactions to improve fall prevention
- Gait retraining with rhythmic cues
- Freezing of gait strategies
Step 5: Advanced tools
For appropriate clients, we also offer:
- StimPod pulsed radio-frequency therapy to reduce nerve related pain and stiffness
- Kinesio Taping to support posture and ease movement
Step 6: Maintenance and progression
We teach you and your caregivers how to:
- Continue LSVT BIG home exercises
- Build a sustainable fitness program
- Stay active and engaged to promote neuroplasticity
Why Upper West Side clients choose us
- Convenience: we come to you, with no travel and no clinic waiting room
- Experienced care: your therapist is a doctor of physical therapy certified in LSVT BIG
- Trusted by top neurologists who treat celebrities, musicians, millionaires, and billionaires: many NYC neurologists refer their Parkinson's patients to us
- A whole person approach: we address mobility, strength, balance, posture, and the nervous system
- Privacy and personalization: every session is one to one and tailored to you
- Flexible options: home visits or our Midtown office
The emotional side of Parkinson's
We know it is not just about walking. Parkinson's can chip away at confidence and independence. You may feel self conscious about shuffling or freezing. You may avoid activities you used to love. You may lean more on family and feel like a burden.
It does not have to be this way. With the right therapy, you can:
- Walk with more confidence
- Stand taller and move more easily
- Keep doing the activities you love
- Preserve your independence
- Feel like yourself again
That is our mission.
Take the next step
If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson's and want certified LSVT BIG therapy, one to one rehab, hands on manual therapy to ease stiffness, and better walking, balance, posture, and strength, we can help.
Call us 24/7 at (646) 781-8884 to schedule a Parkinson's rehab consultation. We serve the Upper West Side and all of Manhattan, in your home, your workplace, or our Midtown office at 119 West 57th Street, Suite 212, New York, NY 10019.
References
- Farley BG, et al. LSVT BIG: amplitude-focused physical therapy for Parkinson's disease. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2008.
- Ebersbach G, et al. Comparing exercise in Parkinson's disease, the Berlin LSVT BIG study. Movement Disorders. 2010.
- Fox C, et al. The science and practice of LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG for Parkinson's disease. Brain Sciences. 2018.
- Mak MK, et al. Exercise for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Movement Disorders. 2017.
- Tomlinson CL, et al. Physiotherapy for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012.
- Goodwin VA, et al. The effectiveness of exercise interventions for people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Movement Disorders. 2008.
- Frazzitta G, et al. Effectiveness of intensive inpatient rehabilitation for Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2015.
- Dibble LE, et al. High-intensity agility training improves balance and mobility in individuals with Parkinson disease. Physical Therapy. 2009.
- King LA, Horak FB. Delaying mobility disability in people with Parkinson disease using a sensorimotor agility exercise program. Physical Therapy. 2009.
- Nieuwboer A, et al. Cueing training in the home improves gait-related mobility in Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders. 2007.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Parkinson’s care should be individualized by a licensed clinician who has evaluated you. In an emergency, call 911.