Neurologic Physical Therapy | Barrington IL | Achieve PT
Treatment Techniques / Neurologic Physical Therapy
Technique 02 · Specialized Care

Neurologic
Physical Therapy

LSVT BIG Certified · Stroke · Parkinson's · MS · Balance

Targeted rehabilitation for stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and balance disorders. Dr. Julie Roy is certified in the LSVT BIG program — the most evidence-based PT protocol for Parkinson's disease, backed by over 35 randomized controlled trials.

All Techniques

What It Is

Neurologic physical therapy addresses movement, balance, coordination, strength, and endurance problems caused by conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. Dr. Julie Roy has extensive clinical experience working with patients across a wide spectrum of neurological diagnoses and is certified in the LSVT BIG program for Parkinson's disease.

Neurologic rehab works best when it is consistent, task-specific, and meaningful to your daily life. Sessions are built around the real activities that matter most to you — not just generic exercises — and are paced to your energy levels and tolerance.

Conditions We Treat

  • Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)Rehabilitation for weakness, coordination deficits, gait impairment, balance problems, and functional mobility after stroke. Early and consistent rehab produces the best outcomes — but improvement is possible at any stage post-stroke.
  • Parkinson's diseaseProgressive neurological condition causing slowed movement, rigidity, tremor, and balance instability. Dr. Roy is certified in LSVT BIG, the most evidence-based physical therapy protocol specifically designed for Parkinson's disease.
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)Neurological condition causing fatigue, weakness, spasticity, balance impairment, and gait changes. Therapy is designed around your energy levels, with pacing strategies integrated throughout every session.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)Rehabilitation for balance, coordination, gait, endurance, and functional mobility deficits following traumatic brain injury of any severity.
  • Balance disorders & fall preventionAssessment and treatment of balance impairment from any neurological or vestibular cause. Reactive stepping training and fall risk reduction strategies tailored to your specific deficits.
  • Peripheral neuropathyWeakness, numbness, and balance impairment caused by damage to the peripheral nerves — including diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
  • Spinal cord conditionsIncomplete spinal cord injury, cervical and lumbar myelopathy, and spinal stenosis with neurological signs affecting walking and balance.

The LSVT BIG Program

LSVT BIG (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment — BIG) is a structured, evidence-based physical therapy protocol specifically designed for people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. It is one of the most researched rehabilitation programs available — backed by over 35 randomized controlled trials.

The program uses 17 sessions (4 times per week for 4 weeks, plus one session) of high-amplitude, high-effort movement training. The core principle: big movements practiced intensively retrain the brain to perceive and produce movements of normal size — counteracting the bradykinesia (slowness) and hypokinesia (smallness of movement) that characterize Parkinson's.

Outcomes from LSVT BIG include improved walking speed and balance, faster transfers, better arm swing, and improved ability to perform daily tasks. The program is effective at any stage of Parkinson's disease.

More information: Full LSVT BIG research and resources are available at lsvtglobal.com.

What to Expect in Sessions

Evaluation We assess strength, balance, coordination, sensation, walking pattern, transfer ability, and functional mobility. We discuss your specific goals, daily routine, and what activities matter most to you. For LSVT BIG, we follow the standardized assessment protocol.
Treatment sessions Sessions combine skill practice and strength conditioning. For LSVT BIG patients, sessions follow the structured protocol with high-amplitude whole-body movements. For other diagnoses, sessions include balance and reactive stepping training, functional task practice, strength and endurance work, and caregiver education when helpful.
Good to know: Neurologic rehab is a combination of skill practice and strength conditioning. Small wins add up. Consistency between visits — including your home program — is one of the biggest drivers of neurologic rehabilitation outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. While early intervention produces the best outcomes, neurologic rehabilitation can improve strength, balance, walking, and functional independence at any stage of a diagnosis. The brain and neuromuscular system continue to adapt in response to the right training — this is the principle of neuroplasticity, and it applies throughout life.

Sessions are designed around your energy levels. Rest breaks, pacing strategies, and prioritizing the most important activities are built into the plan. For MS patients in particular, we schedule sessions to avoid peak fatigue times and keep the total load within your tolerance. Getting the most from each session matters more than doing the most.

LSVT BIG is a structured 17-session protocol (4 times per week for 4 weeks plus one session) designed for people with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. It uses high-amplitude, high-effort movements to retrain the brain to produce movements of normal size. It is evidence-based, with over 35 randomized controlled trials supporting its effectiveness. Any individual with Parkinson's disease can benefit — the program is effective at mild, moderate, and more advanced stages.

Yes. Caregiver education is an important part of neurologic rehabilitation. We can teach safe assist techniques for transfers, walking, and falls prevention, and we can advise on home modifications and adaptive equipment. Family members are welcome to attend sessions and learn strategies that support safe independence at home.

Frequency depends on your diagnosis, goals, and how your body responds. LSVT BIG requires a specific schedule of 4 sessions per week for 4 weeks. For other neurological conditions, most patients benefit from 2–3 sessions per week during the active treatment phase, then tapering as you build independence with your home program.

Absolutely. The best time to address fall risk is before a fall occurs. We assess your balance, reactive stepping, and walking safety proactively and build a specific training plan to improve your margin of safety. Fall prevention programs that include balance training, strength work, and functional task practice are among the most evidence-supported interventions in all of physical therapy.