​Integrated Care for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease affects almost 200,000 Americans every year. 

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder of the central nervous system that effects signals to the muscles of the body and significantly interferes with daily living activities. 
 
Traditional treatments include dopamine boosters, antidepressants, and anti-tremor medications. Some new findings are showing that integrating other therapies, like massage therapy, with these pharmacological approaches can be of benefit to daily functioning for these people.

A survey done by the Dept. of Neurology at the University Medical Center-Hamburg furthered the claim that anti-Parkinson drugs are incomplete and not as effective as when combined with other rehabilitative therapy and physiotherapy including massage. 
 
Simply put, traditional therapy can only do so much for the pain and symptoms that accompany this disease. While it does not change the progression of the disease, massage has a direct, immediate effect and can help fill in the holes in traditional healthcare protocols.    

Submitted by SCCCC Member:
​
Jean Chamberlain, LMT
Modern Massage Works
610-444-5884
619 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square, PA 19348