Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation

Move bigger. Speak louder. Live with confidence—specialized Parkinson’s therapy

At Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center, we provide outpatient Parkinson’s disease (PD) rehabilitation that helps people stay active, safe, and connected. Our team delivers individualized physical, occupational, and speech therapy—including LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®—to improve walking, balance, strength, and communication. Care is available in Washington and Odon, Indiana, and we welcome patients from Daviess County and across Southern Indiana.

Why rehabilitation matters in Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s affects the central nervous system, often leading to slowed movement (bradykinesia), smaller steps, reduced arm swing, stiffness, tremor, balance changes, and softer voice. Symptoms vary widely and can change over time—but specialized exercise and therapy can:

• Improve walking, balance, and coordination
• Increase movement size and reduce freezing
• Build strength and endurance without overexertion
• Support clearer, louder speech and facial expression
• Maintain independence in home, work, and community life

Our approach adapts to good days and tougher days—and evolves with your needs and goals.

How CORE’s Parkinson’s rehabilitation helps

Physical & occupational therapy

• Gait and balance training: larger steps, arm swing, turning, dual-task practice, and falls prevention
• Strength & flexibility: hips, core, posture; stretching to reduce stiffness
• Motor control & coordination: task-specific practice (bed mobility, sit-to-stand, car transfers)
• Energy conservation & pacing: safe activity plans that respect fatigue
• Home safety & ADLs: strategies and equipment for bathing, dressing, and everyday routines

LSVT BIG® (PT/OT)

LSVT BIG® is an intensive, one-to-one therapy program designed for Parkinson’s that trains large-amplitude, purposeful movements. By practicing “BIG” patterns (big steps, big reaches, big postures), people can restore movement size and improve everyday function—walking across a room, getting up from a chair, turning in tight spaces, and more.

Typical format: 16 sessions over 4 weeks (about 1 hour, 4x/week), plus daily home practice. Your therapist will tailor intensity to your abilities and goals.

Speech-language pathology & LSVT LOUD®

Parkinson’s can reduce vocal loudness and clarity and affect facial expression. LSVT LOUD® is an evidence-based speech therapy that retrains people to produce a stronger, clearer voice and recalibrates how “normal loudness” feels. Results often include increased vocal volume, better articulation and intonation, and improved intelligibility in conversation.

Typical format: 16 sessions over 4 weeks (about 1 hour, 4x/week), plus daily home practice.

Combining LSVT BIG® + LSVT LOUD® addresses both movement and voice—helping people move bigger and speak louder for everyday life.

Assistive devices & safety

When appropriate, we assess and train use of canes, walkers, or bracing to support confidence and independence. We’ll also review home setup and community strategies to help you stay active safely.

What to expect

Evaluation

We review your neurologic history, medications/timing, current symptoms, and goals. Your therapist screens gait, balance, posture, strength, flexibility, and movement size, as well as voice and communication if you’re seeing our speech team.

Personalized plan

Together, we set clear goals—like safer walking, bigger movement, or stronger voice—and choose the right services (e.g., LSVT BIG®, LSVT LOUD®, PT/OT/SLP). Your plan includes in-clinic therapy and a doable home program to reinforce daily wins.

Progress you can see

We track outcomes (walking speed, balance, freezing episodes, vocal loudness, confidence) and coordinate with your neurology team (with permission). Your plan evolves as your needs change.

Is Parkinson’s rehabilitation right for me now?

Consider a therapy evaluation if you notice any of the following:

• Smaller steps, reduced arm swing, or new freezing
• Balance changes or near-falls/falls
• Growing fatigue, stiffness, or slowness that limits activity
• Softer voice or family saying “I can’t hear you”
• Difficulty with buttons, bathing, or transfers
• You’re ready to start (or restart) a structured exercise program tailored to Parkinson’s

If you have new or rapidly changing symptoms, contact your neurology team first. Once cleared, therapy can help you safely return to daily life.

Locations and scheduling

CORE Center | 421 E. Van Trees Street, Washington, IN
CORE Center at North Daviess | 800 S. West Street, Odon, IN

Call (812) 254-8889 to schedule a Parkinson’s rehabilitation or LSVT evaluation, or to ask about referral requirements. We serve people from Washington, Odon, Jasper, Vincennes, Loogootee, Petersburg, Bloomfield, and neighboring communities across Southern Indiana.

FAQs

What’s the difference between LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®?
LSVT BIG® targets movement size (walking, reaching, turning). LSVT LOUD® targets voice loudness and clarity. Many people benefit from both.

Do I have to do 16 sessions?
LSVT programs are typically 16 sessions over 4 weeks, plus daily home practice. Your therapist will personalize intensity and follow-up.

Will therapy make my symptoms worse?
No—our programs are scaled to your energy and safety. We progress your plan thoughtfully and coordinate with your neurology team.

Do I need a referral?
Many insurers require a physician referral. Call (812) 254-8889 and we’ll help you determine next steps.