April is Parkinson’s awareness month. In the clinic and on socials we have been discussing how Parkinson’s is #Morethanatremor. If you have been following NeuroAlign Physiotherapy for a while, you know we are obsessed with the “why” behind movement. This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Insight Parkinson’s Conference, where I watched a compelling webinar by Dr. Lina Goh regarding the INTEGRATE program. Her research highlights a truth we see every day in the clinic: preventing falls in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) requires much more than just a few leg exercises.
The Reality of Falls in Parkinson’s
Falls are unfortunately common for those living with PD, often leading to a cycle of injury, reduced quality of life, and mounting healthcare costs. The good news? Research shows that targeted exercise can reduce falls in people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s by 26%.
However, Dr. Goh pointed out a critical gap: even with effective exercise, fall rates remain unacceptably high. Furthermore, for those with more advanced PD, exercising without proper supervision can actually increase the risk of falling. This tells us that a “one-size-fits-all” gym routine isn’t enough—we need a multidomain strategy.
The INTEGRATE Strategy: Exercises, Home, and Habits
The INTEGRATE program focuses on three pillars to successfully reduce the rate of falls:
- Specialized Exercise: Moving beyond simple strengthening to focus on balance and coordination.
- Home Modifications: Improving the physical environment to remove hazards
- Safer Mobility Strategies: Learning how to move through the world differently
One of the biggest challenges identified was adherence. It can be tough to stick to a program alone, which is why supervised, professional guidance is the “secret sauce” to seeing a real reduction in fall rates.
Join our “Balance and Beyond” Program
At NeuroAlign, we have built these very principles into our Balance and Beyond program. We don’t just give you a list of exercises; we analyze your specific movement patterns through the lens of neuroplasticity and the Bobath Concept.
Our program mirrors the successful “multidomain” approach by:
- Providing supervised, expert-led exercise to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Teaching safer mobility strategies you can use in your own kitchen, bathroom, and community.
- Supporting you in staying consistent, helping you beat those adherence statistics and turn “better balance” into a lifelong habit.
Take the Next Step
Don’t wait for a “close call” to start thinking about your balance. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been navigating Parkinson’s for years, there is always room to improve your stability and confidence.
Ready to move with more confidence? Explore our approach at www.neuroalignphysio.ca and book your assessment for the Balance and Beyond program today. Let’s work together to keep you upright and active!
References:
Allen, N. E., Darmali, A., Koch, C., Tran, S., Paul, S. S., Canning, C. G., Edwards, S., Harkness, S., Savage, R., Webster, L., Zelma, G., & Goh, L. (2025). Acceptability of a programme for safer mobility (INTEGRATE): Perspectives of people with Parkinson’s disease and their care-partners. Clinical Rehabilitation, 39(10), 1378–1389. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155251365151
