Exercise Physiology
for Parkinson's Disease
Exercise is one of the most powerful interventions available for Parkinson's disease. At every stage and for every person, the right program builds strength, improves gait and balance, reduces falls risk and helps maintain the independence that matters most to you.
Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed to start · Medicare rebates available
Why Exercise Matters
Exercise is not complementary to Parkinson's treatment. It is part of it.
The evidence for exercise in Parkinson's disease is substantial and growing. Structured, progressive exercise has been shown to improve motor function, reduce rigidity, improve gait and balance, slow functional decline, and meaningfully improve quality of life at every stage of the condition.
Parkinson's disease affects every person differently. Symptoms, progression rate, medication response and lifestyle vary enormously from one person to the next. That is why we do not use a single protocol for everyone. We assess you as an individual, understand your specific presentation and design a program that addresses what matters most to you right now, while building the foundation you will need in the years ahead.
Our approach
We assess before we prescribe. Every Parkinson's program at Beachside EP starts with a thorough evaluation of your motor symptoms, gait, balance, strength, medication timing and daily function. We design your program around where you are today, with regular reviews to adapt as your condition and capacity change. We work closely with your neurologist and GP, providing written reports after every review to keep your entire care team informed.
What We Do
A program built around your symptoms, your medications and your life
Parkinson's disease affects movement, balance, strength, coordination and in many cases mood and cognition. We address all of these through exercise, adapting to your medication timing and the natural variation in your symptoms throughout the day.
Gait and walking improvementTargeted exercise addressing stride length, cadence, arm swing and freezing of gait, the walking difficulties that most affect independence and safety.
Balance and falls preventionProgressive balance training, reactive stepping and postural control work to reduce falls risk, the most serious safety concern in Parkinson's disease.
Strength and power trainingProgressive resistance exercise to maintain and build muscle mass, address rigidity and improve the power needed for daily activities like getting up from a chair or climbing stairs.
Flexibility and rigidity managementTargeted stretching, mobility and rotational work to address the muscle stiffness and rigidity characteristic of Parkinson's disease.
Dual task trainingParkinson's disease affects the ability to do two things at once. We progressively challenge this through combined cognitive and motor tasks, walking while talking, carrying while navigating, to build real-world function.
Aerobic conditioningCardiovascular exercise to maintain heart health and energy levels. Emerging evidence suggests aerobic exercise may have a neuroprotective effect in Parkinson's disease.
Medication timing and exercise schedulingWe design sessions around your medication schedule to ensure you are exercising at your best window, typically when levodopa is at peak effect.
Coordination with your neurologist and GPWritten reports after every review keep your care team informed. We work within the context of your overall Parkinson's management plan.
Our Clinical Principles
How we think about exercise for Parkinson's disease
We do not use a fixed protocol. We assess each person individually and build a program around their specific presentation. These are the principles that guide every Parkinson's program we design.
Intensity matters
The evidence strongly supports high-intensity exercise in Parkinson's disease. Low-intensity movement is beneficial but the greatest gains in motor function and potential neuroprotection appear to come from higher effort levels, appropriately progressed and supervised.
Specificity matters
Exercise needs to target the specific deficits present in each person. Gait problems require gait training. Balance deficits require balance challenge. Rigidity requires mobility work. A generic gym program does not address the specificity that Parkinson's disease demands.
Consistency matters most
The benefits of exercise in Parkinson's disease are cumulative and require sustained effort over time. We build programs that are realistic and sustainable for your life, with between-session home programs delivered through our app to maintain progress every day.
All Stages
We work with Parkinson's disease at every stage
The goals and focus of your program will evolve as your condition changes. We adapt with you at every stage, maintaining what function is possible and building the resilience that slows decline.
Who We See
Parkinson's disease and related conditions
We work with people living with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders at every point in their journey.
Your Program
What to expect from start to finish
Every Parkinson's program starts with a thorough individual assessment. We take the time to understand your specific presentation before we prescribe anything.
Initial assessment
We review your Parkinson's history, current symptoms, medication regime and timing, falls history, cognition, mood and daily function. We conduct a gait assessment, balance testing and strength screening. Family members or carers are welcome and often provide valuable context. This forms the foundation of your individual program.
Individual program design
We design a program addressing your specific motor deficits, scheduled around your medication timing and realistic within your current capacity. We explain every exercise and why it is included. Your program is delivered via our exercise app with clear videos and instructions for between-session practice.
Supervised sessions
We supervise your sessions, monitor your response and adjust in real time. We work at your pace and adapt to variation in your symptoms from session to session. Good days and harder days are both part of managing Parkinson's disease and we plan for both.
Regular reviews and adaptation
We review your program regularly, adapting as your condition and capacity change. Written reports are sent to your neurologist and GP after every review. As Parkinson's disease progresses, your program evolves with it. We do not start from scratch at each stage. We build on what you have already achieved.
Funding and Rebates
Multiple ways to fund your Parkinson's program
Parkinson's disease qualifies as a chronic condition under Medicare's Chronic Disease Management pathway. Multiple funding options are available depending on your age and circumstances.
Medicare CDM Plan
Up to 5 subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year with an active Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP or neurologist.
My Aged Care
Support at Home and CHSP packages can fund Exercise Physiology for eligible older Australians with Parkinson's disease.
NDIS
Exercise Physiology funded under Improved Health and Wellbeing for eligible self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants.
DVA Gold and White Card
DVA Gold Card holders have all clinically necessary EP sessions covered with no gap fee.
Private Health Insurance
Most extras policies cover Exercise Physiology. Check your policy for your annual limit and rebate amount.
Private
No referral needed. Book directly and pay privately. No GP visit required to get started.
Common Questions
Parkinson's program FAQs
Is it too late to start exercise if my Parkinson's is already advanced?
No. Exercise is beneficial at every stage of Parkinson's disease. In advanced stages the goals shift from building function to maintaining it, but meaningful improvement in specific areas including balance, transfers, gait and quality of life is possible at any stage. We have worked with patients at all points in their Parkinson's journey and the benefits of structured, supervised exercise are consistent across stages.
Do you use a specific protocol like LSVT BIG or PD Warrior?
No. We assess each person as an individual and design their program based on their specific presentation, symptoms and goals. Protocols can be useful frameworks but they are not appropriate for everyone. Our clinical approach is to understand the person first and then determine what exercise will be most beneficial for them specifically, drawing on the evidence base for Parkinson's exercise without being constrained by a single method.
When is the best time to exercise with Parkinson's disease?
For most people on levodopa-based medication, exercising during the peak effect window, typically 45 to 90 minutes after taking medication, produces the best results. We schedule your sessions with this in mind and design your program around your medication timing. If you are unsure of your peak window, we can help you identify it in collaboration with your neurologist.
Can my carer or family member attend sessions with me?
Absolutely and we encourage it. Family members and carers who understand your exercise program can support your between-session practice, help identify changes in your symptoms, and feel more confident assisting you with daily activities. Their involvement consistently improves outcomes for our patients. They are welcome at every appointment.
Do I need a referral from my neurologist to start?
No. You can book directly and be seen privately without any referral. If you have a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP or neurologist that includes Exercise Physiology, bring it to your first appointment and we will process your $61.80 rebate on the spot. If you do not have one, we can explain how to get one at your first visit.
Can I attend via telehealth?
Telehealth is available and works well for some aspects of Parkinson's care including education, program reviews and home exercise supervision. Initial assessments benefit significantly from in-person attendance so we can properly assess your gait, balance and movement. We will advise you on the best option for your situation at the time of booking.
Ready to start moving better with Parkinson's?
Book your first appointment online or call us. No referral needed. Family members and carers are welcome from day one.
Start Your Plan (Book Your First Appointment)Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed · Medicare rebates available