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Parkinson’s Disease

Are you experiencing slowed movement, stiffness, or unsteadiness that is starting to interfere with your daily life? A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) can leave you feeling unsure about how to stay active. At Rose Physical Therapy, we help individuals with Parkinson’s maintain strength, independence, and confidence through one-on-one, personalized care at our Navy Yard, Friendship Heights, and Farragut North locations.

Understanding Parkinson’s: Movement that Becomes Less Automatic

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition affecting the dopamine-producing cells in the brain. This disruption makes movements that were once "automatic" feel more difficult. While symptoms evolve over time, common motor symptoms include:

  • Bradykinesia: General slowness of movement.

  • Rigidity: Stiffness in the limbs or trunk.

  • Resting Tremor: Involuntary shaking when at rest.

  • Postural Instability: Changes in balance or walking patterns.

  • Gait Changes: Decreased arm swing, shuffling steps, or "freezing" episodes.

Many individuals also experience non-motor symptoms like fatigue, a softened voice, and changes in reaction time. The good news: Movement retraining and targeted therapy can significantly improve function and slow the decline in mobility.

How Parkinson’s is Evaluated at Rose Physical Therapy

Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s for years, we focus on how your individual symptoms impact your daily life. Our comprehensive assessment includes:

  • Balance & Postural Control: Testing your stability to prevent falls.

  • Gait & Movement Analysis: Identifying shuffling or initiation issues.

  • Functional Mobility Assessment: Evaluating real-world tasks like turning, climbing stairs, and car transfers.

  • Strength & Flexibility Screening: Assessing the "stiffness" levels in your trunk and limbs.

  • Movement Initiation: Testing coordination and your ability to start movements smoothly.

Your Path to Optimizing Movement in DC

At Rose PT, we specialize in helping you "re-learn" movement strategies to stay active in your community. We provide the elite rehabilitation tools you need to feel grounded and navigate every stage of your Parkinson’s journey with confidence.

Schedule Your Assessment at Rose PT

Don't let Parkinson's dictate your schedule. Rose Physical Therapy offers specialized care at our convenient DC locations:

  • Farragut North

  • Friendship Heights

  • Navy Yard