Parkinson's Empowerment

Ever wondered how a tool as simple as walking poles could transform the lives of those battling Parkinson's disease? Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation with Joy Cochran, a clinical evidence specialist for urban polling. Discover the fascinating history of urban polling and the unique features of activator poles that have become game-changers in our clinical practice. Hear heartening stories of improved posture and relief from joint pain, testaments to the power of these tools.

Switch gears as we delve into the remarkable benefits of the activator poles for Parkinson's patients. Our experience as physical therapists comes to life through success stories of exercise, balance, and Nordic walking. Learn about the safety features that make these poles a boon for those with tremors or weak grip strength. More than physical aid, these poles are catalysts for improved quality of life and community involvement. Wrap up with us as we advocate for spreading the word on these life-altering resources, and leave feeling inspired by the positive impact of urban polling on those with Parkinson's. Tune in and join us on this journey of discovery and transformation.

You've heard of smartwatches tracking your steps, but what about tracking Parkinson's symptoms? That's the reality with StrivePD, an incredible app developed by the team at Rune Labs. In a unique conversation, Brianna unveils how this free app, compatible with the Apple ecosystem, enables Parkinson's patients to closely monitor their symptoms, including tremors and dyskinesia. Originally created by Aura Oslapas, a PD patient herself, StrivePD was acquired by Rune Labs in 2018. Brianna shares how StrivePD can revolutionize the way patients and clinicians communicate, leading to a more informed health journey. It's time to get savvy about your health, and this conversation is a great start.

The chat takes a futuristic turn as we plunge into the fascinating world of Rune Labs' brain sense technology. Imagine a world where Parkinson's patients can track symptoms more effectively and clinicians can adjust programming and medications based on the tracking with the StrivePD App ! Well, it's happening. With the integration of fall detection technology and an activity logging system, Brianna highlights how StrivePD provides users with an in-depth understanding of their health. But that's not all; there are exciting developments on the horizon, including the integration of heart rate metrics into the clinician portal. Tune in to learn how technology like StrivePD is not just changing, but truly revolutionizing care and treatment for Parkinson's.

Join us on a fascinating journey with Speech Language Pathologist, Brittany Peck,   as we unravel the complexities of swallowing and what people with Parkinson's may be experiencing.  Brittany's expertise illuminates how the reduction of dopamine, can lead to a slow-down in the oral musculature, causing difficulties in swallowing. Yet, as we learn, there's a beacon of hope with retraining and awareness. 

 We discuss the clinical swallow evaluation process, potential treatments, and even share some handy tricks for taking medication. If you're in a remote location, fret not! Brittany enlightens us about her home-based practice in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and how she's leveraging technology to deliver speech-language pathology services to those in rural and remote areas. Finally, we list some key indicators that could signal swallowing difficulties. So, come aboard and learn how to manage and improve swallowing issues related to Parkinson's.

On today's podcast Dr. Gillum and I discuss the gut brain connection and Parkinson's, constipation and the steps you can take to ameliorate your symptoms and the connection between diabetes and Parkinson disease.  

Dr. Gillim  received his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine

And studied internal medicine and gastroenterology at Cornell University in NYC. 
Thank you taking the time to be on the podcast Dr. Gillim!