Every Parkinson’s journey looks different, yet the need for clarity and support remains constant. Dr. Susha Thomas PT, DPT, C/NDT has written two books on Parkinson’s disease: 100 Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease: Reclaim Your Life – Tips to Help Manage Your Symptoms. Through her clinical experience and writing, she continues to offer direction that helps individuals feel more in control of their daily lives.
A Dedicated Professional with a Clear Mission
Dr. Susha Thomas PT, DPT, C/NDT has spent years working closely with individuals facing neurological challenges. After earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Wayne State University, Michigan, she chose to focus on Parkinson’s and stroke rehabilitation. Her current role as Director of Therapy Operations and Program Chair for Parkinson’s at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital reflects her leadership and depth of knowledge.
Dr. Susha’s work goes beyond structured treatment plans. She actively volunteers with the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society, contributing to awareness efforts and community support. As a CEU instructor, she also shares her expertise with clinicians across the nation, helping them deliver better care through evidence-based strategies.
Her approach is shaped by personal values rooted in compassion. Inspired by her late mother, Saramma Zacharia, she carries forward a strong belief in supporting individuals who often feel overlooked. That influence is visible in every aspect of her work.
100 Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease: A Practical Movement Guide
In 100 Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease, Dr. Susha focuses on helping individuals stay active in ways that feel safe and achievable. The book has been selected for display at the World Parkinson’s Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in May 2026, a milestone that reflects its usefulness in real-world settings.
The guide includes 100 illustrated exercises designed for bed, sitting, and standing positions. This variety allows individuals at different stages of mobility to participate without feeling limited. Each exercise is explained with clarity, helping readers maintain proper form and avoid unnecessary strain.
Balance remains a key focus throughout the book. Dr. Susha addresses how improving stability can reduce the risk of falls, which often affects confidence and independence. She also introduces techniques to manage freezing episodes, offering readers ways to improve their movement patterns.
The book encourages consistency by providing ideas on how to fit exercises into daily routines. Dr. Susha also highlights how exercise connects with other aspects of care, including medication and nutrition. This broader perspective allows readers to understand how small efforts can lead to meaningful improvements over time.
Parkinson’s Disease: Reclaim Your Life – Managing Everyday Challenges
In Parkinson’s Disease: Reclaim Your Life – Tips to Help Manage Your Symptoms, Dr. Susha focuses on helping individuals understand their condition while offering practical solutions. The book was selected for display at the World Parkinson’s Conference in Barcelona in 2023, highlighting its impact within the Parkinson’s community.
Dr. Susha explains the causes behind common symptoms such as tremors, smaller handwriting, shuffling steps, and freezing. Her explanations simplify complex neurological concepts, making them easier to grasp for readers without a medical background.
The book provides targeted strategies that can be applied immediately. Readers learn how to reduce freezing at doorways, improve handwriting, and decrease shuffling movements. Dr. Susha also shares techniques to manage tremors in the moment, offering support for daily situations.
Additional guidance includes medication management, home safety improvements, and recovery methods after a fall. The book also introduces memory strategies and adaptive equipment suggestions that can make daily tasks more manageable.
Dr. Susha’s insights are shaped by her direct experience with patients. Many individuals she worked with initially felt discouraged, yet they experienced noticeable progress after applying her methods. She reinforces the importance of exercise as a key factor in slowing disease progression, encouraging readers to stay consistent in their efforts.
About the Author
Dr. Susha Thomas PT, DPT, C/NDT is a physical therapist based in Houston, Texas, specializing in Parkinson’s and stroke rehabilitation. She serves as Director of Therapy Operations and Program Chair for Parkinson’s at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital and volunteers with the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society. She also trains clinicians nationwide through continuing education programs. Both of her books are illustrated by her children, Jaden and Elena, making them meaningful family collaborations rooted in advocacy and awareness.
Final Reflections
Dr. Susha’s work continues to provide a sense of direction for those navigating Parkinson’s disease. Her books combine knowledge with practical application, helping individuals approach daily challenges with greater confidence.
Through steady guidance and a focus on achievable progress, she reminds readers that improvement remains possible with the right mindset and consistent effort.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
I am Susha Thomas, PT, DPT, C/NDT, a Physical Therapist specializing in Parkinson’s and Stroke rehabilitation. I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy from Wayne State University in Michigan and am an active volunteer with the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society. I serve as the Director of Therapy Operations and Program Chair for Parkinson’s at an Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital. I am also a CEU instructor and equip clinicians across the nation with evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to treat Parkinson’s Disease. I mentor and help bring awareness to the disease, dispelling stigma while advocating for the Parkinson’s community. I reside with my husband and children in Houston, Texas. Both my books are illustrated by my children, Jaden and Elena, making it a heartfelt family project advocating for Parkinson’s.
Please tell us about your journey.
My mom was a nurse who loved taking care of patients and giving them the hope they needed. I could see the dedication and passion she had that made an impact on her patients’ lives. My mom passed away in 2003 from colon cancer, and I wanted to continue her legacy by finding the patient population I could give back hope to as a Physical Therapist, and that was the Parkinson’s population. They would come to me thinking they would never get better, but once they started using the tips and strategies I gave them, they were so excited and regained hope. This inspired me to write my first book, “Parkinson’s Disease- Reclaim your life-tips to help manage your symptoms”. This book goes over different symptoms of Parkinson’s and how to overcome them. For example, if you are having small steps, small handwriting, or if tremors are getting in the way of functional movement, I go over strategies to overcome those symptoms. This book was selected and displayed at the World Parkinson’s Conference in Barcelona, Spain, 2023. My second book goes over 100 exercises for Parkinson’s disease, which can be used from the early stages to the advanced stages of Parkinson’s. It includes exercises in sitting, lying, and standing, as well as balance exercises, which I have found beneficial for people living with Parkinson’s. Exercise is a proven way to slow the progression of the disease, and the earlier exercise starts, the better. This book was also selected to be displayed at the World Parkinson’s Conference, which will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, in May 2026.
Any message for our readers
Do not give up hope.
Thank you so much, Dr. Susha, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
