Susquehanna Health Rehabilitation Services Offers Unique Parkinson’s Disease Therapies

Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions can now participate in Lee Silverman Voice Treatments (LSVT) LOUD® and BIG® programs at Williamsport Regional Medical Center.

Susquehanna Health is the only health system to offer these therapies locally with one certified LOUD therapist and three certified BIG therapists. 

LSVT LOUD is a speech therapy program that improves vocal loudness by stimulating the voice box and other muscles used for speech. The single goal is to speak loud, helping improve breathing and speech functions that suffered negative effects caused by illness. LSVT BIG is an occupational therapy program that applies to limb movement and function training patients to make big movements to improve limb flexibility, mobility, balance and overall quality of life. Each therapy can be used with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy patients.

“Our dedicated team of certified specialists is comprised of physical, occupational and speech therapists that develop treatment plans based on every patient’s unique needs,” said Joseph Wood, Director of Therapy Services at Susquehanna Health. “Each of these specialty services are provided in various settings to patients including during acute therapy, inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient rehabilitation.”  

 “We are pleased to add LOUD and BIG therapies to our vast collection of treatment options already in use for improving function and quality of life in patients affected by a wide range of neurologic conditions including Parkinson’s disease,” said Thomas Hoy, Director of Inpatient Rehabilitation Operations at Susquehanna Health. “We have already experienced positive outcomes with patients participating in these therapies and look forward to expanding on the success to help others in the community.”

For more information on the LSVT LOUD® and BIG® programs contact Joy Proctor, DPT, Susquehanna Health Physical Therapist, at 570-321-2605.