What is LSVT-BIG ? 

LSVT® BIG is an exercise treatment program for people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is based on the principle that the brain can learn and change (neuroplasticity).

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It trains people with Parkinson's disease (PD) to use their bodies more normally, through the use of movement-based exercises. People living with PD or other neurological conditions often move differently, with gestures and actions that become smaller and slower. They may have trouble getting around, getting dressed, and with other daily activities.

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It effectively trains and improves movements for any activity, whether “small motor” tasks like buttoning a shirt or “large motor” tasks like getting up from a sofa or chair or maintaining balance while walking. The treatment improves walking, self-care, and other tasks by helping people “recalibrate” how they perceive their movements with what others actually see. It also teaches them how and when to apply extra effort to produce bigger motions – more like the movements of everyone around them. Because LSVT BIG treatment is customized to each person's specific needs and goals, it can help regardless of the stage or severity of your condition.

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About 500,000 people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease, with about 50,000 people being diagnosed each year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke The four common symptoms, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke are: tremors, limb and trunk stiffness, bradykinesia (the slowing down of movement) and weak balance or coordination.

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Since PD symptoms worsen over time, as they become worse, patients can have trouble with simple tasks such as getting in and out of bed or the bathtub— or even walking and talking. People with PD may also experience “freezing,” where they have extreme difficulty starting to walk again after having stopped, or difficulty stopping walking once started. This may lead to falls in the home and when out in the community. Some other PD symptoms can be depression, constipation, trouble swallowing or chewing, or difficulty sleeping.