Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism

Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition that progressively damages parts of the brain over many years.

What is Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism?

Parkinsonism refers to a variety of conditions that cause symptoms related to movement. Parkinson's disease is the most common form of Parkinsonism.

This disease begins when nerve cell deep inside the brain, in a part called the substantia nigra, become damaged. This loss of nerve cells causes a reduction in dopamine, a chemical in the brain that controls smooth body movement. This causes many of the symptoms within Parkinson's.

Most people with Parkinson's are aged over 50, however when it occurs to a person of a younger age it is called early-onset Parkinson's. Other types of Parkinsonisms include:

Mutiple system atrophy (MSA)
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
Corticobasal syndrome
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
Drug-induced Parkinsonism
Vasular Parkinsonism (VP)

While most forms of Parkinsonism are lifelong conditions that are not curable, they are often treatable.

How Can Parkinson's Disease Affect You?

The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can often get worse as the condition progresses, but not every individual experiences the symptoms in the same way.

Symptoms can include body tremors, body stiffness, balance problems, and issues with speech. It can also affect your emotions and behaviour, as well as your sleep and memory.

Parkinson's disease symptoms can also often be referred to as motor and non-motor symptoms. Motor symptoms are those that affect movement and balance, while non-motor symptoms refer to how you may be affected in other ways, such as pain, insomnia, and mental health issues.

What Services Can We Provide?

Neurological rehabilitation

Equipment and environment adaptations

Expertise in Parkinsonism types

Education and training

Neuro Occupational Therapy With Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism

When living with Parkinson's, you may struggle with completing everyday activities. This is something that Krysalis neurological occupational therapists are experts in.

Neurological occupational therapy for Parkinson's and Parkinsonism can prevent you worrying about living with a condition that worsens over time. It can help you to understand your condition, and how it will cause changes to the ways your brain and body work together.

We can provide education and guidance on how to manage your symptoms and introduce tools and techniques to help you achieve your daily activities - your occupations - with better ease.

Our neurological occupational therapists can also recommend practical changes to things such as equipment and environment, as well as supporting you with general mental and physical well-being to promote an active lifestyle.

Depending on your symptoms, you may still be able to continue working. We can provide vocational rehabilitation to you, where we suggest reasonable adjustments to help you stay within your work role.

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What others says

I am always so impressed by the therapist’s commitment to and ongoing understanding of Claire and her situation. I am sure the rest of the family will share my thoughts so please pass on our heartfelt thanks to the therapy team when you next see them. Sister of brain injury survivor
I just wanted to drop you a line to say, whenever I call the office, Claire, in particular, is always very charming and efficient. She is a good representative of your company and has a nice phone manner and a good approach to customer service. So, thank you Claire. Mother of brain injury survivor
The following will never be enough to illustrate Paul’s journey but we are eternally grateful to the NHS, IM, ILS, Krysalis and the whole infrastructure that has been created for Paul. Yes, Paul is focused, determined and driven but the whole team have created a rehabilitation environment that has changed our life and Pauls future, they have made the thought of life and rehabilitation, turn from the impossible to the possible. Brother of brain injured survivor
The thought of having the family undertake this journey alone seems impossible and we will be always grateful. We all recognise that James is still on the rehabilitation journey, but there is no stopping him. He has just walked to Mum’s & Dad’s on his own (phone first to say he’s on his way)... what a way to celebrate the 2-year journey.Brother of brain injured survivor
I highly recommend Krysalis Consultancy OT services. Anna has been our life line since she came on board to help my husband following his brain injury. He has improved greatly thanks to Anna’s input in assisting him to become independent, teaching him step by step the simple things which we all take for granted. Anna is there for us 100%, teaching us both strategies to enable us to achieve better results.Wife of brain injured survivor
Just a short note to thank you very much for your hard work and persistence over the last few months, your guidance has undoubtedly helped and taken the pressure off me (I have benefited from the sessions greatly). I am really encouraged by the last few weeks and optimistic that if Peter keeps working at it he will continue to make good progress.Brother of brain injured survivor

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