Faith Regional Health Services | living WELL | Spring 2019

If you feel you may benefit from LSVT, talk to your doctor about a referral. You can learn more about the therapy program by calling Faith Regional Rehabilitation Therapies at 402-644-7396 or online at frhs.org . To learn more about Foundations of Movement or Rock Steady Boxing, call 402-371-9770 or email getfit@norfolkymca.org . FRHS.ORG 9 LSVT LOUD ® & LSVT BIG ® LSVT is made up of evidence-based speech, physical and occupational therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease and other conditions. LSVT LOUD ® speech therapy improves com- munication in daily living. LSVT BIG ® physical and occupational therapy improves mobility and movement used in everyday function. These are not exercise programs but instead research-based treatment protocols designed specifically to address motor, sensory and non-motor symptoms many people with Parkinson’s disease face. Patients participating in LSVT commonly achieve: • Walking faster with larger steps. •  Improved balance. •  Increased trunk rotation. •  Improved vocal loudness. •  Improved speech intelligibility. •  Increased facial expression. •  Improved confidence. Customized treatment plan Faith Regional Rehabilitation Therapies is the only outpatient therapy clinic in Norfolk that offers both the LSVT LOUD ® and LSVT BIG ® by certified therapists in all three disciplines—physical, occupational and speech therapy. This creates the ability to truly customize the opti- mal treatment plan for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neuro- logical disorders. Patients like Jerry Kudera of Norfolk, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2005, under- stand the benefits of LSVT. Kudera benefited from LSVT LOUD ® in the past and will begin participating in LSVT BIG ® after returning to therapy following a partial hip replacement surgery. “The therapists are excellent,” says Kudera. “They are very helpful and explain step by step.” “Jerry is a great example of one size doesn’t fit all,” says Maggie Ritter, PT, DPT, Kudera’s physical therapist. “He needed LSVT LOUD ® in the past to improve his commu- nication skills. Now Jerry’s back to address some orthopedic issues with his hip due to an injury. Once the hip is better, we can then transition to LSVT BIG ® with the goal to return to full participation at the YMCA.” Continuing movement Kudera is also a regular attendee at both the Foundations of Movement and Rock Steady Boxing classes at the local YMCA. These classes provide a safe exercise environment and focus on increasing range of motion, and improving strength and balance. Rock Steady Boxing uses exercises largely adapted from boxing drills. “The exercises improve living,” says Kudera. “And it’s a fun group, a sup- portive group.” “These YMCA classes correlate really well with the LSVT treatment principles that our thera- pists individualize for their patients, creating a higher level of conti- nuity of care,” says Sheri Sheriff, PT, DPT, outpatient therapy manager at Faith Regional. “Sometimes people require the skill of a therapist to address a specific issue to allow them to participate more fully in the YMCA classes. Creating the right mixture is very beneficial for our patients.” “Our goal is to get Jerry back to full participation in the YMCA classes where he can be successful in a group environment that he thrives in,” adds Ritter. Jerry Kudera pictured with Maggie Ritter, PT, DPT, and Angela Kruid, MS, CCC-SLP