Thursday, March 8, 2012

Mary Kneiser: Remediating the effects of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not the end of life. Noted physiatrist and physical rehabilitation expert Mary Kneiser, MD, offers therapy programs designed to help patients adapt to the changes attendant to PD, thereby reducing the emotional and physical pain resulting from the disease.



Mary Kneiser Photo Credit: Scienceinclusive.com



According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the disease belongs to a category of conditions known as “motor system disorders,” resulting in the stoppage of the production of dopamine in the brain cells. Parkinson’s disease has four prime symptoms:


1. Trembling in the hands, feet, arms, legs and face
2. Rigidity (stiffness in the trunk and limbs)
3. Slowness of movement (bradykenisia)
4. Postural instability



Mary Kneiser Photo Credit: Nutritionalmagnesium.org



Should the condition prove resistant to medication, surgery is one of the avenues that doctors opt to use to relieve the effects of PD.


Dr. Mary Kneiser is recognized as one of the leading authorities in the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation, owing to her numerous awards and accolades in her chosen field. She offers therapy programs to people with musculoskeletal injuries and motor function disorders, in lieu of surgical procedures, for people with neurological ailments, including those afflicted with PD.


Parkinson’s disease is considered to be a chronic and degenerative disorder, in that the condition is long term in nature and gradually increases in severity. Though the condition afflicts both sexes, the condition is more prevalent in males and is usually seen in people over 50 years old. In the United States, it is estimated that 50,000 people are afflicted with the disease each year.



Mary Kneiser Photo Credit: Sciencedaily.com



Compensatory treatment strategies: Noninvasive treatment for PD



Therapy programs cannot stop the onset of PD nor provide a cure. But with therapy, or compensatory treatment strategies, Kneiser states that patients with PD can learn to adapt to new techniques to help them move about and learn to use specialized equipment to help with mobility to compensate for the effects of PD. Patients are taught to adapt to the effects of the disease and reduce complications, rather than resorting to surgery, which may not be the best option given their weakened physical conditions.


Do you want to know more about compensatory treatment strategies and Parkinson’s disease? You can follow Dr. Mary Kneiser on Twitter

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