Parkinson's Disease Therapy

Firelands Health provides a range of therapy options for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, conveniently offered at the Lee C. Jewett Sports Medicine Center. Our programs are designed to help patients regain and maintain effective communication and movement.

Parkinson Voice Project - SPEAK OUT!

This is the initial part of a two-phase speech therapy program that includes the LOUD Crowd, aimed at helping individuals regain and maintain effective communication. SPEAK OUT emphasizes speaking with intent and converting speech from an automatic function to an intentional act. Each patient works directly with a speech-language pathologist through a 12-session individual therapy plan focusing on speech, voice and cognitive exercises.
A physician’s order is required to participate.

Parkinson Voice Project - The LOUD Crowd!

This is the last part of the two-phase speech therapy program, which initiates with the SPEAK OUT! program. This maintenance program consists of weekly group sessions led by a speech-language pathologist. Participants will perform SPEAK OUT! exercises for ongoing vocal practice, accountability, support and encouragement. This group is offered to those who have already completed the SPEAK OUT! therapy sessions. A physician’s order is required to participate.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment - LSVT BIG

This program consists of individual therapy sessions led by a physical or occupational therapist. LSVT BIG emphasizes increasing the range of motion and step length, improving posture and improving the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living. This treatment helps people “recalibrate” how they perceive their movements with what others actually see. It also teaches how and when to apply extra effort to produce bigger motions - more like the movements of everyone around them. This program utilizes an intensive approach with 16 one-hour sessions over the course of one month. A physician’s order is required to participate.

Rock Steady Boxing

Rock Steady Boxing is a nonprofit organization that has designed a fitness curriculum based on
noncontact boxing for people with Parkinson’s disease. Exercises are adapted from boxing drills to improve agility, speed, muscular endurance, coordination and balance to defend against Parkinson’s disease. In every class, the boxers “glove up” and practice boxing drills, strength training and core work. They end each session with a cool-down. Participants must complete a medical history packet, achieve clearance from a physician, and have an evaluation. Evaluation and session fees apply.