St. Mary Medical Center Fighting Parkinson’s Disease with “Big” Movements

Outpatient-Rehab-Parkinsons-1As a former championship ballroom dancer, Tony Silvasi used to float across the dance floor using intricate footwork. But when Parkinson’s disease started to take over his body’s ability to move or even walk, he and his wife had lost all hope that he would ever dance again.

During a trip to St. Mary Medical Center’s Portage Health Center for his wife Diana’s physical therapy session, her therapist noticed Silvasi’s slow, deliberate movements as he shuffled around the track. The therapist, Sarah Oresko, recognized the classic signs of Parkinson’s and knew she could help him.

According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, approximately one million people suffer from Parkinson’s disease in the United States, with nearly 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. This brain disorder inhibits a person’s ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions and while the disease is not fatal, complications from Parkinson’s can lead to death. Oresko is certified to administer a specialized approach to treat Parkinson’s, known as the Lee Silverman Voice Technique (LSVT) BIG.

“Patients with Parkinson’s disease experience bradykinesia, or slow movements, because their brain does not properly interpret their movements, leading them to feel as if they are moving normally,” said Sarah Oresko, licensed physical therapist at St. Mary Medical Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation. “Traditional treatments for the disease have focused on a cautious approach, encouraging small movements without much emphasis on brain function. LSVT BIG focuses on retraining the brain to recognize movement size so the patient can move more naturally.”

Oresko explained that LSVT BIG uses large movements, such as taking a big step while swinging the arms wide, to retrain the brain. “We ask our patients to move with exaggerated motions, taking big strides while walking,” she said. Patients complete 10 repetitions of seven rotational exercises, two performed while sitting and the rest while standing. “These exercises allow the patient to move in all directions to increase their full range of motion and through repetition, recalibrate muscle function,” she continued.

Outpatient-Rehab-Parkinsons-2For Silvasi, Parkinson’s disease had limited his walking ability and eliminated dance from his life. After working with Sarah, according to his wife Diana, his movements had greatly improved.

“This program was really helpful for Tony,” she said. “The staff at the rehabilitation center provided the encouragement he needed in an open environment that made him feel safe. Every day he made progress.”

“Our patients experience success when they can associate their exercises with a hobby or activity they enjoy,” said Oresko, sharing that the exercises closely mimicked movements that Tony and his wife performed while dancing, making therapy something he could look forward to.

Oresko also stressed the importance of repetition with LSVT BIG. “Patients need to continue with their exercises after therapy in order to keep the momentum,” she said. “With focus and commitment, they will continue to see success.”

“We’re grateful for the friendly staff at the rehab center,” Silvasi shared. “They truly take an interest in the patients they treat. Because of their help, Tony moves better than before and has the motivation to keep improving.”

For more information on LSVT BIG technique or additional Outpatient Rehabilitation services at St. Mary Medical Center, visit comhs.org/stmary or call 219-947-6580.