Alternative treatments for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects over 1 million people worldwide. There are many alternative treatments that can help support people with PD and improve quality of life.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

PD is insufficient amounts of a neurotransmitter dopamine. There is a special place in the brain called the substantia nigra that looks like black, squiggly lines on a MRI.  When the dopamine receptors are not working properly or when the dopamine is depleted these black squiggly lines fade - indicating not enough dopamine to control normal brain function. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that allows for smooth muscle contractions. Some examples are: I can bring my glass to my mouth in one quick motion; I can rise up out of a chair in one swift motion. When dopamine is low, it causes muscle twitching and rigidity and it is a major contributor to the tremors associated with PD, along with the shuffling gait.

Alternative treatemnts for Parkinson’s disease

There are many alternative treatments to Parkinson’s disease. These include physical therapy, occulomotor exercises (using the eyes to help with brain function), music, art, aromatherapy, chiropractic care, low level laser therapy, and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy.

Many people are unaware that there are things that can be done to preserve dopamine levels, particularly involving nutrition. For example, a lack of B6 vitamins causes low dopamine production. The quality of nutrition and supplements is very important and not all are created equal. Always be sure to find products that have 3rd party testing, expiration dates, and quality ingredients (non- GMO, soy free, etc).

Haas Wellness Centers offers many of the above alternative therapies for co-management of Parkinson’s disease. Many patients have experienced improved quality of life within 1-2 sessions, with the initial program lasting 6 weeks with two visits/week. Contact us today or book an appointment directly here to see how you can get started!