Parkinson's & Neurological Physical Therapy
Specialized, one-on-one care for Parkinson's disease, stroke recovery, neuropathy, and balance disorders in Santee, CA.
What is neurological physical therapy?
Neurological physical therapy helps people whose movement has been affected by a condition of the brain or nervous system. Unlike an injured knee or shoulder, a neurological condition changes how your body plans and controls movement — so the treatment approach has to be different, too.
At Live Life Physiotherapy, Dr. Karl Burris, PT, DPT, specializes in orthopedic and neurological physical therapy, with a particular focus on Parkinson's disease. Every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, so your program is built around how your condition affects your movement, and adjusted as you progress.
Conditions we help with:
- Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism
- Stroke recovery
- Peripheral neuropathy and nerve-related weakness
- Balance and gait disorders
- Fear of falling and a history of falls
- General deconditioning after a neurological diagnosis
Not sure whether physical therapy is right for your situation? Reach out — we're happy to talk it through before you schedule anything.
Physical therapy for Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease gradually makes movements smaller, slower, and less automatic. Steps shorten, posture stoops, turning becomes effortful, and everyday tasks that used to be easy — getting out of a chair, rolling over in bed, walking through a doorway — start to take real concentration.
The good news is that research consistently shows exercise is one of the most powerful tools available for managing Parkinson's. Not gentle movement — big, intentional, high-effort movement, practiced regularly, that retrains the brain and body to move with amplitude again.
PWR!Moves® certified care
Dr. Burris is certified in PWR!Moves® (Parkinson Wellness Recovery), an evidence-based exercise approach developed specifically for people with Parkinson's. PWR!Moves targets the movements that Parkinson's affects most — posture, weight shifting, trunk rotation, and stepping — and trains them with the size and effort needed to make a lasting difference.
What we work on together:
- Bigger, faster, more confident walking
- Getting up from chairs, beds, and the floor
- Turning, reaching, and changing direction safely
- Posture and trunk mobility
- Balance and fall prevention
- Strength and endurance to keep doing what you love
- A home program you can actually stick with
Whether you were diagnosed last month or ten years ago, there is meaningful progress to be made. Earlier is better, but it is never too late to start.
Stroke recovery, neuropathy, and balance disorders
Parkinson's is our deepest specialty, but the same principles — specific, repetitive, challenging practice of the movements that matter — apply across neurological conditions.
After a stroke
Recovery doesn't stop when you leave the hospital or rehab facility. Outpatient physical therapy focuses on regaining strength and control on the affected side, improving walking, and rebuilding confidence with real-world activities like stairs, curbs, and uneven ground.
Peripheral neuropathy
When you can't feel your feet well, your balance system loses one of its most important inputs. We train the systems that can compensate — vision, inner ear, and hip and ankle strength — so you can walk more steadily and reduce your fall risk.
Balance and gait disorders
If you feel unsteady, hold onto furniture, or have already had a fall, a thorough balance evaluation can pinpoint why. From there, we build a targeted program. Learn more about our approach on our fall prevention page.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is a full hour, one-on-one with Dr. Burris. There's no handoff to an aide and no sharing your therapist with three other patients.
We'll cover:
- Your story. How your condition affects your daily life, what you've tried, and what you want to get back to.
- A movement evaluation. Walking, balance, transfers, strength, and flexibility — measured, so we can track real progress over time.
- Your plan. Clear goals, a treatment timeline, and a home program that fits your life.
Keeping the momentum going
Neurological conditions reward consistency. When you're ready to move from one-on-one therapy into ongoing group exercise, Live Life Physiotherapy shares a location with Wise Owl Fit, home of East County's first Rock Steady Boxing affiliate — a non-contact, boxing-based fitness program designed specifically for people with Parkinson's. Many of our patients continue there, with Dr. Burris still in their corner.
We accept Medicare and most PPO plans. Details are on our insurance page.
Ready to move bigger, steadier, and with more confidence?
If you or someone you love is living with Parkinson's, recovering from a stroke, or struggling with balance, specialized physical therapy can make a real difference — and the sooner you start, the more ground there is to gain.
Live Life Physiotherapy serves Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lakeside, and the surrounding East County San Diego communities. Contact us today to schedule your first visit, or call (619) 800-8173.