If you have Parkinson's, chances are you've thought about falling—or perhaps you've already experienced one. A fall can be more than just a bruise or a broken bone. It can affect confidence, independence and the willingness to keep moving. And once you become afraid of falling, it can be tempting to do less, which can create its own challenges.

For Falls Prevention Week, September 21–25, this episode looks at the connection between Parkinson's and falls. Why do we fall? What role do freezing, balance problems and medications play? Can exercise and physical therapy really help? And what changes can we make at home to reduce the risk? I spoke with Jennie Alex, PT at The Parkinson's Fitness Project and Daily Dose PD. She helped us understand balance issues in Episode 135. We explore these questions and share practical strategies for people with Parkinson's and their care partners. The goal isn't to stop living because we're afraid of falling—it's to find ways to keep moving safely and confidently.

https://theparkinsonsfitnessproject.com/

https://www.dailydosepd.com/

Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches

After living with Parkinson's for 10 years, I still struggle to recognize when I'm experiencing OFF time. And dyskinesia? I never quite know when it will happen or why. I'm sure I'm not alone.

So, as part of our "Dr. Ospina Explains" series, I asked Dr. Ospina to break down the terms we hear so often in Parkinson's: ON, OFF, dyskinesia, dystonia, and more. She walks us through the medication roller coaster—what it looks like, why it happens, and how it can change over the years.

She also explains how to tell the difference between OFF symptoms, dyskinesia, and dystonia, and why it's important to pay attention to more than just movement. Non-motor symptoms can also fluctuate with medication and may even signal an approaching OFF period before motor symptoms appear.

This is an episode you may want to bookmark and come back to. Understanding these differences can help you recognize what's happening in your own Parkinson's journey—and, ultimately, better communicate with your care team about how symptoms are affecting your quality of life.

Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches

In our last episode, we featured a wearable device that uses gentle vibrations to help people manage Parkinson's symptoms and reduce anxiety. If you haven't listened yet, I encourage you to do so. It's a fascinating conversation about how something as simple as a vibrating wristband—BeechBand—may influence the brain in ways that help ease anxiety and tremors. Best of all, it's easy to use and fully refundable if it doesn't work for you in 100 days..

This episode also explores wearable technology, but with a very different purpose—one that could transform how we manage Parkinson's and partner with our healthcare teams. StrivePD, developed by Rune Labs, is an app that pairs with your Apple Watch to track movement, heart rate, sleep, and other important health data. It then provides easy-to-understand reports that highlight trends over time, giving you a clearer picture of how your Parkinson's is changing between doctor visits.

Imagine arriving at your next appointment with objective, actionable information instead of relying on memory alone. That kind of insight can lead to more informed conversations and better care decisions. And this is only the beginning of what's possible with StrivePD.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Rune Labs CEO Amy Gordon Franzen and learning about the future of digital health for Parkinson's. I think you'll find it both informative and inspiring.

https://www.strive.group/

https://www.runelabs.io/post/strivepd-empowering-parkinsons-patients-with-personalized-insights

amy@runelabs.io

Thank you to our sponsor – Boston Scientific, the maker of Vercise Genus, a Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS system. To learn more about the latest treatment options for Parkinson's disease at https://DBSandMe.com/17branches