The outpatient physical therapy at Cascade Valley Hospital is now treating patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions using the LSVT BIG® program. Sarah Johnston, physical therapist, and Bethany Wahlquist, physical therapist assistant, both recently earned their LSVT BIG® certifications and can now offer this treatment

LSVT BIG® is an intensive, amplitude-focused physical and/or occupational therapy program for people who are living with Parkinson’s disease or other disorders affecting mobility, balance and activities of daily living. It is supported by decades of peer-reviewed research that has documented improved ratings on tests of motor functioning in people with Parkinson’s disease following treatment.

The program consists of 16 individual one-hour sessions with a certified therapist. It is carried out for four days each week for a total of four weeks. To combat the smaller and slower movements caused by Parkinson’s disease, the program exercises drive “big” movements and carries over into daily functional tasks for practical application. Ultimately, the goal is to get patients back to the activities they enjoy.

Johnston and Wahlquist were motivated to offer this program due to the lack of local therapists available to administer LSVT BIG®. To achieve certification, both took a 12-hour self-paced online course and passed an exam afterwards.

Prior to this, local patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic conditions needed to travel north to Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, as that was one of the closest facilities that offered this intensive treatment.

“We are excited that this is a new treatment we can bring to Arlington and the surrounding communities for those with Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic conditions such as strokes, balance deficits and more to improve their quality of life!” said Johnston.

To learn more about our rehabilitation services in Arlington, contact one of our team members at 360-814-8030. For more information about LSVT BIG®, visit  LSVTGlobal.com.