Dr. Valerie Johnson PT, DPT founded Balance Therapy and The Parkinson’s Mind Body Institute to best serve those living with Parkinson’s disease.
Valerie has a doctorate in physical therapy from Texas State University and is certified in PWR! (Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery!) and BIG therapy for Parkinson’s. She is the team neuro-therapist for the Dallas Mavericks, providing comprehensive concussion evaluations and treatments. She also teaches dance and movement classes for Parkinson’s. Valerie founded The MIND Program (Movement Initiative for the Newly Diagnosed) and co-founded Endeavor Parkinsonology. Both are programs bringing free physical therapy, exercise classes, resources, and educational programs to the local Dallas-Fort Worth Parkinson’s community.
Valerie attended Emory University to earn the Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency Certificate sponsored by the American Physical Therapy Association. Valerie has additional certifications and training in concussion testing and rehab, advanced vestibular rehab, vision retraining, functional movement disorders, dystonia, and Pilates.
You don’t have to be a physical therapist to be an expert at exercise. All you need are some clear guidelines, a lot of effort, and little creativity. That’s what it takes to stay on top of your PD symptoms, slow the progression of PD, and enjoy a better life. In this guide, you will learn some tricks of the trade about how and why you should be exercising with PD.
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“Valerie, you are doing great things!!! I wish my dad was your patient. He does not have Parkinson’s, but he has significant balance issues. PT has helped him immensely. I wish that you could evaluate him someday. You are one of the best!!!! I miss working with you!”
“I look forward to my sessions with Valerie. The classes are fun but challenging.”
“Val is the best! After my cerebellar stroke, my brain lost its way to keep me balanced. I continue to improve with her approach. She helped my brain coordinate with my ears and the rest of my body so that I am much closer to a normal life…. walking without a cane and driving!”
“Thank you Valerie Waldron Johnson and Balance Therapy for keeping this Parkinson’s person more limber and more symptom free with your knowledge of correct exercises, stretches and cardio to help delay Parkinson’s progress! I look forward to all our sessions!”
“Keep up the great work, Val! I went to you for about two years for chronic vestibular balance and dizziness issues, and now I am so much better and these issues do not hinder my lifestyle. I think your optimism and energy were as important as the vestibular rehab exercises. You were more than just a physical therapist, but a PT/Life Coach! Thanks again for everything!”
“When the world around you is in a spin… It’s nice to know that someone’s got your back! Thanks for being that someone!”
Here are some of my favorite resources for Parkinson’s disease. Check it out and keep it handy for when you are looking for new ideas to optimize your life with PD. Add any of...…
By Valerie Johnson, PT, DPT and Chrystal Kafka Is Pilates good for Parkinson’s you ask? The answer is… Sometimes. I’ve teamed up with the wonderful Chrystal Kafka to tackle this Pilates/ PD predicament. She is...…
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