How LSVT BIG Physical Therapy can help with Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can significantly affect movement, making simple tasks like walking, dressing, and even writing more difficult. As the disease progresses, people often notice their movements becoming smaller and slower, which can feel frustrating and limiting. But there’s hope through LSVT BIG, a unique physical therapy program that helps people with PD regain control over their movements and improve their overall quality of life.

What is LSVT BIG?

LSVT BIG is a specialized therapy designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease (and other neurological conditions) move more effectively and naturally. Parkinson’s tends to shrink the size and speed of a person’s movements, which can affect both large motor skills, like walking, and smaller tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or writing.

The LSVT BIG program retrains the brain and body to recognize the importance of larger, more intentional, functional movements. This treatment helps people recalibrate their perception of their body’s motion, aligning what they feel with how others actually see their movements. The goal is to help them use bigger motions, which improves mobility and confidence in performing daily activities.

A Personalized Approach for Every Person

What sets LSVT BIG apart is its personalized approach. The treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution—it’s customized to meet each person’s individual needs and goals. Whether you’re focused on improving balance, walking, or even mastering tasks like dressing or writing, LSVT BIG helps address each person’s specific challenges.

Although the program is especially effective in the early to middle stages of Parkinson’s disease, it can bring meaningful improvements at any stage. Even those with more advanced symptoms can see positive results with this treatment.

How LSVT BIG Works

LSVT BIG is an intensive, one-on-one therapy program that spans four weeks. Patients attend four sessions per week, each lasting approximately one hour. Throughout these sessions, the focus is on increasing the size (amplitude) of movements throughout the body—from head to toe.

A key component of the program is proprioception, which refers to the body’s ability to sense its position in space. Many people with Parkinson’s experience a disconnect between how their body feels and how it actually moves, making it harder to perform everyday tasks. LSVT BIG helps address this issue by training the brain and body to improve proprioceptive awareness, allowing patients to feel and control their movements better.

This enhanced sense of movement helps participants make those big, purposeful motions feel more natural and automatic. At first, patients may feel like their movements are too exaggerated, but over time, they come to realize that these larger motions are actually normal and help them perform tasks more effectively.

The Role of Repetition and Practice

Consistency is crucial for success with LSVT BIG. Beyond the therapy sessions, patients are given daily exercises and home assignments that reinforce the movements learned during treatment. Daily practice is essential for maintaining and solidifying the new, bigger movements in real-life situations.

The goal of LSVT BIG is to make these larger movements feel natural, so patients can apply them effortlessly throughout their daily lives. As patients continue practicing at home, they notice improvements in walking speed, balance, and the ability to perform both large and small motor tasks with greater ease.

Long-Lasting Results

LSVT BIG isn’t just a temporary fix. After completing the initial four-week program, patients are encouraged to continue practicing for 10–15 minutes each day to maintain their progress. This continued effort helps make bigger movements a permanent part of their routine, enabling them to navigate daily life with greater confidence and independence.

The improvements gained from LSVT BIG often extend beyond physical movement. Patients frequently report feeling more energized, empowered, and in control of their lives. They may find that they can walk faster, get out of chairs with ease, and perform everyday tasks—things that may have once seemed difficult or impossible.

The LSVT BIG Difference

LSVT BIG is more than just a physical therapy program—it’s a life-changing experience that helps people with Parkinson’s disease take control of their movements and their lives. Through personalized, one-on-one sessions, a focus on proprioception, and the application of neuroplasticity principles, LSVT BIG helps patients improve their mobility, build confidence, and reclaim independence.

With continued practice and support from certified clinicians, LSVT BIG can lead to lasting changes that improve both quality of life and the ability to perform everyday activities. It’s never too late to start moving BIG!