Therapy

Back to life together

Treatment concept

The treatment of Morbus Parkinson and related movement disorders requires a complex, holistic therapy which is geared towards the specific needs of each individual patient.

The treatment concept at the Parkinson-Klinik Wolfach is essentially based on three main approaches:

• drug-based therapy
• physiotherapy and
• psychotherapeutic care

This is supplemented by speech and occupational therapies which are an integral part of the complex multimodal treatment.

All treatment strategies are based on the latest scientific findings and have to be constantly adapted to the changing clinical condition of the patient. The patient’s personal circumstances are as important as age, concomitant diseases and previous experience with medication. It is also important to involve relatives in the therapy.

The aim of treatment is to significantly improve the patient’s physical and mental abilities through combined and integrated measures, to preserve his independence as long as possible and to prepare the patient as effectively as possible for his return to everyday life. The success of treatment also depends to a significant degree on the patient’s ability to put the techniques of holistic therapy into practice himself.

The treatment of Parkinson’s disease centres on drug therapy which is geared towards the patient’s individual needs. The therapy usually combines different drugs which have complimentary effects. The same applies to concomitant psychiatric, internal and orthopaedic disorders.

Physiotherapy is based on a neurophysiological approach and aims first and foremost at maintaining or improving the patient’s general mobility and working against further motor impairment. Because many Parkinson’s patients are prone to falling, fall prevention strategies are particularly important. Patients at particular risk are offered fall prevention training geared towards their specific needs and requirements.

The psychotherapeutic approach embraces strategies for coping with the illness, such as relaxation techniques, intensive voice and speech therapy, systematic brain performance therapy and the training of creative and fine motor skills.

Occupational therapy focuses in particular on physical self-sufficiency, an independent lifestyle (writing, dressing, etc.) and sensomotor functions, for example, the fine motor skills of the hands. The primary goal is to enable the patient to be as independent as possible, physically, intellectually and socially. The applied measures are therefore geared towards his or her everyday requirements.

Speech therapy focuses on exercises to improve the breathing, vocal and speech performance of the patient. These are supplemented by perception exercises. Additional training of articulation, speech speed and mimicry help patients maintain their ability to communicate actively and self-confidently. Another important focus of treatment is swallow training.