Caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease is a journey filled with challenges, moments of heartwarming success, and above all, the dedication of love and attention. Whether you’re a caregiver or someone living with Parkinson’s, you know that every day can bring something new. The disease doesn’t follow a predictable pattern—what works well for one person might not work at all for another. That’s why having a multidisciplinary approach to care can make such a profound difference.
Among the different tools and treatments available, physical therapy has increasingly shown to play an essential role in helping individuals maintain movement, balance, and independence. LSVT-BIG is one of the most successful evidence-based therapies for Parkinson’s and other diseases that we’re proud to offer at Armor Physical Therapy.
What is LSVT?
LSVT stands for Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, a therapy originally developed to help individuals with Parkinson’s improve their vocal projection and clarity (now called LSVT-LOUD). The speech therapists eventually expanded the principles and methodology behind LSVT-LOUD into physical and occupational therapy for motor skills, creating LSVT-BIG.
Many participants in the LSVT program benefit from both the BIG and LOUD programs, although they may be handled by different providers (physical vs. speech therapists, respectively).
What is LSVT-BIG?
LSVT-BIG is a program designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions, focusing on improving gross (large) and fine (small) motor skills. The “BIG” in the name refers to the program’s primary goal: helping patients amplify their movements.
Parkinson’s often causes people to make smaller, more restricted movements over time, as patients become less confident in their mobility. LSVT-BIG trains the body to counteract this tendency by practicing exaggerated, purposeful movements. Unlike physical therapy for injury rehabilitation, which targets individual symptoms or body parts, LSVT-BIG employs a whole-body approach.
What can LSVT-BIG do?
Physical challenges such as reduced mobility, slouched posture, and tremors can make everyday tasks more difficult as Parkinson’s progresses. LSVT-BIG offers hope and tangible results, empowering patients to regain confidence in their movements and independence in their day-to-day life.
We also recognize that Parkinson’s disease impacts not only the individual but also their caregivers and loved ones. Part of the goal of LSVT-BIG is to retain and recover independence for everyday tasks, reducing the hands-on care required.
1. Improves “large” motor skills
At the heart of LSVT-BIG is the idea of retraining the brain to think “bigger,” even as the disease causes movements to become smaller and slower. The program combats this by reinforcing full-strength, full-range motions. These purposeful, practiced actions help patients regain better control over their body and improve gross motor skills like walking, sitting, and standing.
2. Improves fine motor skills
Alongside large, whole-body movements, LSVT-BIG includes exercises to address fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt, using utensils, or writing. For many Parkinson’s patients, these small tasks can be among the first impacted by the disease. This physical therapy approach trains the hands and other small muscle groups to stay strong and coordinated.
3. Improves balance and posture
Instability is a significant barrier for those with Parkinson’s and can be a major cause of falls. LSVT-BIG encourages patients to practice postural stretches and activities that strengthen core and leg muscles as well as their sense of balance. These exercises help patients maintain an upright posture and improve their ability to recover their balance if they stumble.
4. Reduces freezing episodes
Freezing—a sudden and temporary inability to move—can be both frustrating and frightening for individuals with Parkinson’s. LSVT-BIG training includes strategies to overcome freezing episodes through proactive movements and exercises that reduce the likelihood of these interruptions.
5. Enhances confidence and independence
One of the most valuable aspects of LSVT-BIG is how it fosters confidence. By focusing on achievable yet challenging goals, the program helps patients see measurable progress, whether it’s walking longer distances, getting in and out of bed with ease, or feeling less reliant on others for support.
Learn more at an appointment with our physical therapists
If you or your loved one is living with Parkinson’s, it’s never too soon to explore cutting-edge therapies like LSVT-BIG. At Armor, we offer specialized evaluations for neurological conditions and customized treatment plans to help you or your loved one achieve the best possible quality of life.
If you’re at all curious about how LSVT-BIG can help improve your loved one’s quality of life, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more. You can get in touch with us by calling a clinic near you or by requesting an appointment online today.
