Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most-common chronic neurodegenerative disease. More than one-million people in the United States are affected by this disease, and doctors diagnose as many as 60,000 new cases each year. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects movement, including: tremors, impaired posture, shuffling, difficulty swallowing, fainting, rigidity, and dysfunction of speech and gait. Since these indicators often resemble normal stages of aging; most people often regard their symptoms as “getting older.” The delay of treatment, because of this misconception, can have traumatic effects on a person dealing with this disease. Due to the increase of dopamine and serotonin released by the body after receiving Acupuncture, Parkinson’s patients are experiencing profound benefits by integrating the practice into their comprehensive treatment routine. 

How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help

By stimulating specific anatomic points in the body, using sterile fine-point instruments, acupuncture activates anti-oxidative properties within the body, allowing the body to better fight against the cellular degeneration caused by Parkinson’s disease. 

Acupuncture provides neuroprotection to different parts of the brain, especially around the area that is most damaged by Parkinson’s disease – the substantia nigra. By helping to release more dopamine, the chemical that regulates movement and emotional responses within the human body, acupuncture can play a role in a patient preserving control over their own body and mind. 

Acupuncture has been shown to decrease the dosage requirements and side effects of anti-Parkinson drugs, and produce dramatic improvements in daily life, such as improved sleep. 

What does an acupuncturist do?

An acupuncturist begins by taking a complete health history to identify the stage of Parkinson’s the patient is currently undergoing. 

He or she will then architect an individualized treatment plan designed to take advantage of natural healing pathways in the body and engage those pathways using Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and other modalities. 

What is out of balance?

Parkinson’s disease affects the entire body. If left untreated, the disorder will eventually lead to a complete deterioration of brain function and, subsequently, death. Acupuncture and herbal medicine increase blood flow, nerve activity and stimulate regions of the body most needed in the treatment of Parkinson’s. 

Since Parkinson’s obstructs the body’s central nervous system, the effects of this disease aren’t just physical – the psychological impact on a patient can be equally as devastating. Depression, anxiety, rapid mood changes, and mental illness are a few of the disorders that often affect Parkinson’s patients. Acupuncture works on these symptoms as well to retain as much of the healthy nerve responses as possible. 

To better understand how our clinic can assist with treatment of Parkinson’s disease, call to schedule your free consultation.