You should approach managing your Parkinson’s Disease by developing a healthcare team. These are the healthcare professionals that help ensure that you find the right treatment plan to manage your Parkinson’s Disease symptoms.

Primary Care Provider – This doctor can address a number of health-related concerns and will help coordinate your care with referrals to the appropriate specialists.

Neurologist – Specializing in disorders of the nervous system, this physician may diagnose your Parkinson’s Disease and will likely develop your treatment plan and help you manage symptoms.

Movement Disorder Specialist – This is a neurologist who has received additional specialized training in movement disorders like Parkinson’s. Often, they are affiliated with a major university or teaching hospital is up-to-date on the latest cutting-edge treatments and have movement disorder specialists on staff. Because they have so much experience treating Parkinson’s Disease, movement disorder specialists are often best equipped to tailor a plan of care for you and your specific needs. Some people may wait to see a Movement Disorder specialist until later in the course of their disease.  However, seeing a specialist early provides a baseline for monitoring the progression and treatment of your Parkinson’s.  Movement disorder specialists also can connect you with clinical studies to help scientists learn more about Parkinson’s and how to treat it.

Finding a good movement disorder specialist is a lot like hunting for a good dentist or a good mechanic: You need to ask around starting with your primary care doctor or neurologist is a good place to start or ask people in your support group. They may be a good place to start or ask people in your support group whom they see. You can also try contacting one of the national Parkinson’s organizations.

Neuropsychologist – This doctor has specialized training in how behavior and cognition are related to brain processes and will help to devise a plan to bolster cognitive strengths and compensate for weaknesses.

Physical Therapist – All physical therapists are prepared through education and experience to treat many symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. A physical therapist is also experienced in treating people with neurological disorders. Some physical therapists have a practice with a neurological focus. This physical therapist is a board-certified clinical specialist or has completed a residency or fellowship in neurologic physical therapy.  A physical therapist will create an exercise regimen that helps strengthen your muscles and improve your balance and coordination.

When you contact a physical therapy clinic for an appointment, ask about the physical therapists’ experience in helping people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Occupational Therapist – This therapist will help you assess your living and working environments recommending modifications that can improve your quality of life.

Speech Language Pathologist – Many people living with Parkinson’s,  experience difficulties speaking and communicating. These challenges may show up as a quiet voice, unclear speech and or trouble finding words. A speech language specialist can help with speech issues including speaking too softly, slurring words and swallowing.

Finding the Right Medical Team

For help locating a physical or occupational therapist near you and / or a neurologist, particularly one with experience in Parkinson’s Disease, try the following options:

1. Ask your primary care physician for their referrals of Las Cruces & Southern New Mexico neurologists and movement disorder or speech disorder specialists
2. Call the National Parkinson’s Foundation Hotline 1-800-473-4636 or email helpline@parkinson.org to speak with a Parkinson’s Disease information specialist and ask them about physical therapists in your area that specialize in Parkinson’s Disease.
3. Search the American Physical Therapy Association. Visit www.moveforwardpt.com or call  1-800-999-2782 to find a physical therapist near you that is familiar with Parkinson’s Disease.
4. Search the LSVT (Lee Silverman) Global Directory  – visit www.lsvtglobal.com or call 1-888-438-5788 to find a LSVT Loud and/or  BIG certified physical and occupational therapist near your area.
5. Check with our three local hospitals, Mountain View Regional and Memorial Medical Center and Three Crosses Regional Hospital for a list of staff members that provide therapists that are Familiar with Parkinson’s Disease.
6. Local Neurologists that work with Parkinson’s Disease patients:
   • Javed Iqbal MD, 3855 Foothills Rd. Las Cruces, 575 532-8561
7. Speech Therapist – Dora Jasso M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS Mountain View Regional Medical Center  4301 E. Lohman Ave  Ste 201 Mountain View Outpatient Plaza, 575 556-6620  Dora.Jasso@MountainviewRegional.com