Specialist Speaker sessions

Practical advice for people with Parkinson’s and their family members about how to cope with movement problems.

Dr Will Young will talk about using psychological strategies to overcome freezing of gait in Parkinson’s.

Dr Will Young is a Psychologist and Human Movement Scientist specialising in how anxiety influences the way we control our balance and walking. Over the past few years Will has been working with Physiotherapists running projects looking at freezing of gait in Parkinson’s.

Dr. Stephen Mullin holds a clinical lectureship in Neurology at The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Plymouth University.

In recent years it has become clear that genetics plays a key role in the development of Parkinson’s. By understanding genetic pathways, the hope is that a novel drug to prevent or slow down Parkinson’s development can be produced.

Helen Rideout is a practising Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists with a BSc in Herbal Medicine. She is based in Bristol.

Helen will talk about the use of supplements, the impact of diet on Parkinson’s symptoms, and the herbal medicines that may help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms. She will conclude with advice on where to source and integrate herbs, supplements, and foods into your daily routine. There will be time for questions.

Katherine Crawford, Director of Services, Parkinson's UK will talk about the charity's plans for the next 5 years. She will also answer questions whch can be sunmitted in advance or asked on the session.

Julie Jones is a senior lecturer in physiotherapy at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

There is much evidence that engaging in regular exercise has numerous benefits for Parkinson’s management – not solely as complementary to medication, but of equal importance. While science seeks to develop a cure to the condition, there has been a recognition of the potential value of exercise in the management of Parkinson’s. Recent reviews into Parkinson’s treatment indicate that participation in regular exercise correlates with improved symptoms, such as improvements in strength, balance, fitness, function, and walking, as well as reducing depression and fatigue.