As Parkinson's typically causes muscle stiffness, alleviating tense muscles and joints has a soothing effect that instantly improves symptoms in a client. Not only that, but massage is proven to release happy hormones including endorphins, which helps to improve the client's overall mood and outlook.
Clients with Parkinson's are encouraged to get massage therapy. Clients often relax and fall asleep during their massage therapy time. The sessions are usually 30-60 minutes long and can be done on a chair, on a bed, or on a massage table.
Biking, running, Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates, dance, weight training, non-contact boxing, qi gong and more are included — all have positive effects on PD symptoms.
Reflexology can be helpful when used to support traditional Parkinson's treatments. For example, it can stimulate the saliva glands and tear ducts which are often suppressed as a result of Parkinson's medications, and can also help to relieve constipation.
Frankincense and helichrysum oils decrease inflammation within the brain, and vetiver oil can reduce tremors. Seniors simply need to massage a couple of drops of essential oil on their temples and neck twice each day.
The main therapy for Parkinson's is levodopa. Nerve cells use levodopa to make dopamine to replenish the brain's dwindling supply. Usually, people take levodopa along with another medication called carbidopa.
Healthy Eating and Regular Exercise: A Powerful Combo
Studies show targeted nutrition may slow Parkinson's advancement. Eating a whole-food, plant-based, Mediterranean-style diet — including fresh vegetables, fruit and berries, nuts, seeds, fish, olive and coconut oils and more — may be linked to slower PD progression.
Vitamin C is essential for the brain development and has neuroprotective mechanisms for people with Parkinson's. Fruits rich in vitamin C include Cantaloupes, Oranges, Kiwi, Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries.
To help maximize the medication's effects, eat high-protein foods at other times of the day. If you take your medicine in the morning, have oatmeal rather than high-protein eggs for breakfast, and save your protein intake for later in the day.
Research suggests that massage can help to relieve the muscle stiffness and rigidity that is often found in Parkinson's. It can also help reduce stress, promote relaxation and enable you to identify tension in your body, and so find ways to minimise or reduce this.
April 13, 2023. In an enormous leap forward in the understanding of Parkinson's disease (PD), researchers have discovered a new tool that can reveal a key pathology of the disease: abnormal alpha-synuclein — known as the “Parkinson's protein” — in brain and body cells.
These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine. Studies have shown that symptoms of Parkinson's develop in patients with an 80 percent or greater loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra.
Over half of people with PD consider fatigue to be among their most disabling symptoms. It is often described as tiredness or exhaustion. Though there is overlap between fatigue, sleep disorders, and depression, people with PD can often separate fatigue from sleepiness.
Some studies have reported that the average time from onset of Parkinson's to developing dementia is about 10 years. One large study found that about three-quarters of people who live with Parkinson's for more than 10 years will develop dementia.
Patients with vitamin C deficiencies and parkinsonism can show rapid improvement with vitamin C replacement therapy. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency is known to affect brain function and is associated with parkinsonism.
There are many supplemental forms of Magnesium, which can all have great health benefits on Parkinson's symptoms, but what makes Magnesium L-Threonate unique is that research has shown that this form in particular can improve brain magnesium levels and support memory / overall cognitive function.