Introduction
LSVT BIG is a globally recognized physical/occupational therapy approach designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This scientifically backed method promotes bigger and safer movements during daily activities.
Developed on the principles of high effort and sensory awareness, LSVT BIG exercises aim to recalibrate the perception of movement in patients, encouraging them to make larger, more coordinated movements. This therapy has proven to be instrumental in mitigating the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and enhancing the quality of life for many individuals.
Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition, often results in individuals having smaller and slower movements. This can create difficulties when performing daily tasks such as dressing, walking, or even articulating speech. The importance of exercise, especially in Parkinson’s disease patients, cannot be emphasized enough. LSVT BIG exercises are specifically designed to counteract these movement limitations. Focusing on movements of increased amplitude, these exercises help patients relearn what it feels like to move and function normally. Moreover, they enhance mobility, balance, and body awareness, significantly improving daily activities. The repetitive practice provided by LSVT BIG also promotes the carry-over of those improved movements into everyday life, thereby significantly enhancing the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.
This article will delve into ten specific LSVT BIG exercises that have shown promising results in managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Each exercise targets key areas of motor function affected by the disease to enhance overall mobility and motor abilities. They vary in complexity, allowing individuals to gradually progress in their therapy journey. This approach ensures the exercises remain challenging yet achievable, fostering a sense of accomplishment and continued commitment to therapy. But remember that it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before starting any new exercise regimen.
10 LSVT Big Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease
Here are ten LSVT Big exercises that target various areas of motor function and can be done either at home or in a professional therapy setting:
BIG Arm Circles:
BIG Arm Circles is an effective LSVT BIG exercise to enhance upper body mobility. Here’s how to perform it:
1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart for balance. Extend your arms straight out to the sides at shoulder height.
2. Start slowly by making small circles with your arms. Gradually increase the size of the circles to make them bigger. Be mindful to keep your movements smooth and controlled throughout.
3. Perform 10 to 15 large, clockwise circles. Then, switch direction, making the same number of counter-clockwise circles.
4. Remember to maintain a strong, upright posture throughout the exercise. If you feel any discomfort, reduce the size of the circles or the number of repetitions.
This exercise helps improve shoulder flexibility and promotes larger, more fluid upper body movements. However, always check with your healthcare provider or certified LSVT BIG clinician before beginning this or any new exercise regimen.
High Steps:
High Steps is a fundamental LSVT BIG exercise that enhances leg movement and overall balance. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform it:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Stand near a wall or a sturdy piece of furniture that you can hold onto for balance.
- Raise one knee as comfortably as possible to get your thigh parallel to the ground. Keep your foot flexed as you lift your knee.
- Lower your foot back to the ground in a controlled manner. Repeat this step with the other leg.
- Perform 10 to 15 repetitions with each leg, focusing on lifting your knee as high as possible with each repetition.
This exercise is designed to improve the range of motion in your hips and knees and promote larger, more fluid lower body movements, thereby improving walking stride. As always, consult your healthcare provider or certified LSVT BIG clinician before beginning this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Reaching:
BIG Reaching is another strategic LSVT BIG exercise emphasizing reaching and stretching movements to enhance flexibility and body awareness. Here’s how to perform this exercise effectively:
- Stand or sit with your feet hip-width apart. Extend your arms in front of you at shoulder height.
- Slowly reach forward with one arm, fully extending it as far as it comfortably goes. Imagine trying to touch something just beyond your reach.
- Hold the stretch momentarily, then slowly retract your arm to the starting position. Repeat the reaching movement with the other arm.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions with each arm.
The BIG Reaching exercise improves upper body flexibility and promotes larger, more controlled reaching and stretching movements. It encourages a greater range of motion and provides a beneficial stretch to the muscles in reaching movements. As with all exercises for the family, remember to consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before beginning this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Forward Bending:
BIG Forward Bending is an LSVT BIG exercise emphasizing controlled forward bending movement to improve flexibility. Follow these steps to perform this exercise:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Extend your arms straight in front of you.
- Slowly bend forward from your waist, reaching your hands towards your toes. Go down as far as comfort allows.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, then gradually raise your body back to the starting position, maintaining a controlled movement.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions.
The BIG Forward Bending exercise is designed to enhance flexibility and increase the range of motion in your lower back and hamstrings. These spinal stenosis exercises promote more significant, controlled bending movements, improving overall mobility. As with the previous exercises, always consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before beginning this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Sideways Bending:
BIG Sideways Bending is a targeted LSVT BIG exercise that encourages lateral flexibility and movement. Here are the steps to perform this exercise:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and extend your arms straight to your sides at shoulder height.
- Slowly bend to the right from your waist, reaching your right hand towards your right ankle. Keep your left hand raised and your movements controlled.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, then gradually raise your body back to the starting position.
- Repeat the bending movement to your left side.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
The BIG Sideways Bending exercise aims to enhance lateral flexibility and promote larger, more controlled bending movements. This can significantly improve lateral mobility and balance, essential aspects of daily activities like picking up objects from the floor or turning to reach for items beside you. As always, consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before starting this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Marching:
BIG Marching is an effective LSVT BIG exercise to improve balance and gait. Here’s how to perform it:
- Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Stand near a wall or a sturdy piece of furniture for support.
- Start marching in place, lifting your knees as high as possible with each step. Aim to get your thigh parallel to the ground.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions with each leg.
BIG Marching exercises enhance balance by challenging your body’s stability as you lift each leg off the ground. This exercise can improve proprioception, which is the body’s awareness of its position in space, a key factor in maintaining balance. It also targets the hip flexors, a group of muscles primarily responsible for lifting the knees. Strengthening these muscles can lead to better gait, as high, healthy knee lifts are crucial for a smooth, efficient walking pattern. BIG Marching helps individuals with Parkinson’s to relearn the feeling of lifting their legs in a larger, more exaggerated motion, thus combating the small, shuffling steps often associated with Parkinson’s. As with all exercises, consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before starting this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Standing Twists:
BIG Standing Twists is a pivotal LSVT BIG exercise emphasizing rotational movements to enhance flexibility and strengthen core muscles. Here’s how you can perform this exercise:
- Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Extend your arms out to your sides at shoulder height.
- Slowly rotate your torso to the right, keeping your hips as still as possible. Aim to turn your body as far as comfort allows.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly rotate back to the starting position.
- Repeat the rotation movement to your left side.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
The BIG Standing Twists exercise enhances rotational flexibility, promoting larger, more controlled twisting movements. This has the added benefit of strengthening the core muscles, which are crucial in maintaining balance and stability. As always, consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before beginning this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Floor Swings:
BIG Floor Swings is an LSVT BIG exercise designed to enhance coordination and balance, particularly for those with difficulty with standing exercises. Here’s how to perform it:
- Sitting upright on a sturdy chair, extend your arms in front of your body at shoulder height.
- Bend your elbows, forming a 90-degree angle, and keep your palms facing down.
- Slowly swing your arms to the right while turning your torso in the same direction. Ensure your movements are controlled.
- Hold the position for a few seconds, then swing your arms and torso back to the center and over to the left side.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions on each side.
The BIG Floor Swings exercise emphasizes exaggerated arm swings while seated, which promotes larger, more controlled movements. In addition, the rotational aspect of this exercise enhances the coordination between your upper body and arms, improving overall balance and stability. As always, consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before beginning this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG Sit to Stand:
The BIG Sit to Stand is an essential LSVT BIG exercise that improves lower body strength and stability. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by sitting on the edge of a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the floor.
- Lean slightly forward and push off with both hands to stand up straight. Keep your movements controlled and steady.
- Slowly lower yourself onto the chair by bending at your knees and hips while keeping your torso upright.
- Perform this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions.
The BIG Sit to Stand exercise is particularly effective in strengthening the major muscles of the lower body, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteus muscles. These muscles are crucial for maintaining stability, mobility, and balance. Regular practice of these lower glute exercises helps individuals to perform daily activities, such as standing up from a chair or climbing stairs, with greater ease and confidence. As always, consult your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before starting this or any new exercise regimen.
BIG walking:
BIG Walking is a crucial LSVT BIG exercise promoting a larger, more deliberate step pattern for enhanced walking stability. Here’s how to perform it:
- Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
- Start walking by taking a large step forward with your right foot, followed by your left. Aim to make your steps as large as you comfortably can.
- Continue this pattern for 10 to 15 steps.
The BIG Walking exercise addresses the shuffling steps often associated with Parkinson’s disease by focusing on larger, more deliberate steps. This helps in relearning the sensation of taking bigger strides and enhances balance and stability, ultimately improving gait and reducing the risk of falls. As with all exercises, remember to consult with your healthcare provider or a certified LSVT BIG clinician before starting this or any new exercise regimen.
Bottom Line
The LSVT BIG program comprises various exercises designed to address the movement limitations often accompanying Parkinson’s disease. The exercises emphasize larger, more fluid movements and aim to improve flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination. Key exercises include BIG Reach, which enhances upper body flexibility; BIG Forward and Sideways Bending for improved flexibility and range of motion; BIG Marching to enhance balance, BIG Standing Twists for rotational flexibility and core strength; BIG Floor Swings to improve seated coordination; BIG Sit to Stand for lower body strength, and BIG Walking to promote larger, deliberate steps. Each exercise should be performed for 10 to 15 repetitions and always under the guidance of a certified LSVT BIG clinician or healthcare provider. To make these exercises even more effective, practicing them consistently and maintaining an active lifestyle is essential.
