Parkinson’s Disease

There is Life Outside of Parkinson’s

Are you trying to navigate daily living with Parkinson’s? We can help. Our research-based Parkinson’s specific interventions can improve both motor and non-motor symptoms. Our PWR! Moves and LSVT Big certified physical therapists offer individualized, one-on-one sessions dedicated to your care. We want to help you understand how Parkinson’s affects your body and establish a maintenance rehabilitation plan to address your challenges now and over time. At HARTZ PT you will be able to build a long term relationship with a single therapist who will care for your needs over the years.

Research shows that physical therapy & weekly exercise can improve both motor and non-motor components of Parkinson’s including balance, tremors, cognition, mood, strength and daily activities.  There is life outside of Parkinson’s disease.  If you or a loved one is suffering from Parkinson’s, allow us to be part of your journey. We will help you fight to regain control of your life

Meet Linda one of Greta’s Parkinson’s Disease patients.  Linda had a lot of shuffling of steps and decided to come back to physical therapy.  Together they worked on turning especially in corners, getting in and out bed, getting up from a chair, and walking.  Just look at the difference 5 weeks of physical therapy made!  Notice that in the video on the right Linda is now able to complete two repetitions vs. the left screen where it took her twice as long to do one at the start of therapy.

Treatment may include:

• PWR! Moves Therapy task specific training and interventions to improve functional mobility.
• Personalized moderate to high intensity aerobic training performed at an intensity which will mobilize neural mechanisms that help enhance skill acquisition.
• Progressive resistance training to build strength and maintain stability

Our therapists:

Greta Myers, Neurological Physical Therapist, Board Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist (NCS), and  PWR! Moves Therapist.  PWR! Moves Therapy is a Parkinson’s specific exercise program that works to improve neuroplasticity and slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. Focused on large movements, PWR!Moves targets four critical skills the disease attacks: antigravity extension, weight shifting, axial mobility, and transitional movements.  Greta has worked hand in hand with patients who are suffering from Parkinson’s  for the past several years.  Her  patients come to her at varying functional levels including patients with high level balance deficits, movement pattern impairments, and those requiring complete assistance for functional tasks. Greta is passionate about educating both the patient and their families to maximize each patient’s independence.  Greta is located in our Lancaster West office and may reached at 717.735.8880 or gmyers@hartzpt.com

Beth Kauffman, MPT, GCS has completed the LSVT® BIG certification which is an exercise treatment program focused on training people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to use their body more normally. Beth is one of only a handful physical therapists in Lancaster County with this designation. The LSVT® BIG Certification Course trains physical and occupational therapy professionals in an evidence based, intensive treatment protocol for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. This treatment regimen requires high motivation from patients including 4 days of outpatient PT per week for 1 month and daily home exercises.  This program has a set established protocol of 7 functional movement patterns and the implementation of an individualized therapeutic exercise program to meet the specific needs of each patient.  The goals of the program are to emphasize large velocity movements, recalibrate the neuromuscular system, and drive neuroplasticity to improve mobility, reduce fall risk and maintain independent living.  Beth is located in our Lancaster East office and may be reached at 717.396.7766 or bkauffman@hartzpt.com.