can massage help with parkinson disease?
151388
Touch is very powerful.\n\nMassage therapy can help alleviate symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.  Your massage therapist will apply specific techniques to decrease any progressed flexed posture and aid in thoracic expansion and mobility to help improve breathing.\n\nMassage Therapy can also assist in the short-term by:\n- decreasing sympathetic nervous system firing\n- maintaining tissue and joint health\n- improving circulation\n- reducing contractures\n- decreasing pain\n- reducing rigidity and tremors\n\nI would encourage you to seek a registered massage therapist well-versed in nervous system disorders.
1102721
I have fibromyalgia and have found, along with drugs prescribed to help me sleep and relax muscles, that physiotherapy can be a great help, if the therapist is experienced in treating patients with the disorder. Otherwise flare-ups can occur. Mine can release knots of muscles and trigger points and relieve much of the pain. Mild exercise is good, but studies show that heavy exercise backfires. Fibromyalgia patients react differently to exercise and have to be cautious. You might consider acupuncture. It worked well for me until electrodes were added to the needeles and I flared up.
398937
swedish massage might be better for lower back pain. It will relax the muscles in the area, allow improved circulation, and release tension. \n\nUltimately, you might want to do some form of yoga also, to complement the work of the massage, and improve the flexibility and strength of the muscles in the area.
1187597
I think massage therapy is both physically and mentally beneficial. It releases stress, can physically resolve issues if you let your masseuse know what you are suffering from. A benefit also comes from the fact that you are doing something wonderful for your self! \n\nI have a massage once a week during my busiest time of year, once  a month otherwise.\n\nI also believe in reflexology. I have this type of therapy several times a year.
357647
Theres a method called the raindrop method it combines massage and aromatherapy. As far as I know it is very effective at helping out with MS, if you goto http://www.raindroptraining.com/ you hsould be able to e-mail someone from the center for aromatherpy research to help you find a liscensed raindrop practitioner. This technique focuses on the spinal column and how treating the spinal cord can help repair the rest of the body, including the peripheal nervous system and other organ systems. Hope this one helps ya.
804353
No, parkinson's patients do not shake while sleeping.  I have parkinson's disease and sleeping is the only time I get a break from the constant movement.
1039795
If you like to try reflexology, this is a good time/place to try. Go across the covered overhead bridge and get into Roxy Square II (you have to go through Roxy Square 1). It's on the 2nd level - called Ichiban. It's done \nby a partially blind team. It's really good. Ask for the foot and head and shoulders massage ($30). Or you can try a foot reflexology massage at People's Park Centre in Chinatown. Most of the shops are on the 3rd floor. My regular "physician" there is Acupuncture and Chinese Medical Services at #03-66. They charge about $20 for 45 minutes of foot, hand and shoulders massage. They speak good English too.
979845
Stress can increase susceptibility to infection. Steps that reduce stress may help prevent infection with viruses such as EBV. \n\n"In one study after another, research is suggesting that massage therapy has a positive impact on immune function," said Diane Zeitlin, research associate at the Center for Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Kessler Medical Rehabilitation & Education Corporation, West Orange, NJ.  "An increase in white blood cells and natural killer cell activity better prepares the body to fight off possible invading cells,' said Zeitlin. "These cellular changes suggest the immune system benefitted from the massages, and these findings fall in line with previous research."\n\nIn a study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami on women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, the women received regular massage therapy (three times a week for five weeks), with 80 percent showing improved immune function."These are the first studies that show an effect of massage therapy on immune function test, which can support the use of massage therapy to alleviate stress, relax muscles and now possibly serve as an alternative medical practice," said Michael Ruff PhD., research associate professor at Georgetown University Medical School.  \n\nAnother Touch Research Institute study addressed fibromyalgia (a chronic condition characterized by muscular pain, aching, and/or stiffness and afflicting an extimated 3-6 million Americans).  A portion of the study group received 30 minute massages twice a week for five weeks. The rheumatologists that evaluated the results determined that this group experienced decreases in pain, fatigue, stiffness and improvements in the quality of sleep. \n\nHerbalists may use herbs that boost the immune system to try to prevent or treat viral infections in general. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.), wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are used in acute conditions to boost immunity and improve the flow of lymph. Retinoic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid are derivatives of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and may be used for similar purposes. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) and lomatium (Lomatium dissectum), which have deeper immune-enhancing properties, are used to treat established infections or chronic problems. \n \n\nNo scientific studies have reviewed the use of acupuncture for mono; however, it may help to reduce symptoms, to improve immune function, and to relieve congestion (blockage of qi, or energy flow) of the liver, spleen, and lymph. \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1130067
I know this sounds insane but we have a medical column written by Dr. Gott (I think) in our daily paper.  He has published numerous letters from people who put a bar of soap under their sheets and it stops restless leg syndrome.  My mother-in-law was visiting from Montana a couple of years ago and was complaining about her RLS so I showed her one of the articles.  She is a very skeptical person but she tried it and now swears by it. She mentions it every time she visits.  Worth a shot, right?
898218
A massage school has discounted massages supervised by instructors.   But -- you also put your question under pain/pain management.  If you have back problems I would only go to a professional physical therapist/massage therapist who specializes in manipulating the spine.
182228
reconditioning the physical body is the aswer. the whole should remain healthy in order that all the organs funtion normally. no to viagra but yes to natural foods exercise and therapeutic massage.
624048
My uncle has it as does Mohammed Ali. It can ultimately lead to loss of physical movement (akinesia) and normally has symptoms including muscle rigidity, tremor and a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia). Parkinson's Disease normally progresses slowly and the symptoms can often be relatively mild for years. All About Parkinson's.com relates of the author's mother having being diagnosed with the disease 16 years ago and continuing to live a happy life. We all hope that the same is true with your mother.
4778
There's some meditation techniques that may be able to help relieve psychosomatic disorders such as migraine, i.e. check out Vipassana Meditation, from my experience I believe it and it makes sense.\n\nYou may want to check out a doctor to see if there's something physically wrong however.
354158
Yes I have heard of that, but I wasn't sure what it was called.  My uncle who lived near a power station, had parkinson's disease, and that is what I contribute it to.  I have had a hair analysis done and found several things unbalanced, and also found some toxic elements too.  I actually live only a few blocks from it...I took specific vitamins and minerals to correct my imbalances and toxicities.
471
Massage therapy has been proven to be an efffective alternative relief for Lupus people suffering from Lupus.\n\nMassage is believed to be beneficial effects in several ways. Besides being physically and emotionally relaxing, massage improves blood and lymph circulation, reduces nerve irritation and brings fresh oxygen and other nutrients to the affected tissues. Massage may also cause the body to produce fewer stress hormones like cortisol and norepinephrine (formerly adrenalin), and may also increase the body's production of pain-killing endorphins and the mood-altering hormone serotonin.\n\n  While seeing a professional massage therapist is relatively expensive, a friend or family member may be able to learn enough technique from a book or video to provide some relief for you.
703045
Studies have shown that the placebo effect works really well for parkinsons disease. Parkinsons disease is the brain not producing enough dopeimean. When given a placebo, sufferers, not only get better, but their brain accually re-wires itself to produce dopeimean. Its not only in the mind, a physical change actually occurs.
610404
my father just passed away May 1,dopamine is to control the shaking and tremors Mussel movement in Parkinson's disease patients. Yet, I had just seen a new report on  CNN from a neurosurgeon in Las Vegas. They did not know until recently that it also affect the behavioral. You two trans motors for mussel movement or on the outer side of the behavioral motor and there for when the dopamine cross over it can cause a compulsive behavioral problem. There were two of this neurosurgeon's patients that had compulsive gambling to come on after starting to take the Leve-Dopa and lost lots of money (but it can be other things that they take compulsive) so there for the Dr. went to checking and he had 12 patients that had the same pattern,so therefor he had to take these patients off the Leve-Dopa. Be careful and God Bless you. Let me add this. Talk to your Dr., But I do know that in recent studies the vitamin COQ10 is suppose to be great for early Parkinson's Diseas patients. It's also great for the circulartory system, the heart. Don't let you Dr. discourage you from this vitamin. Get you pharmaciest, Dr. or Alternative Medicene person to cross reference ALL of your medications. And don't just get one opinion. WEBMD,the are alot of places to research medication..From what I can remember an early detection of Parkinson's you shoul take 300 to work up to 1200mg of COQ10 a day. If you do start taking this after cross refercing the medications you are on and it's ok. Say you start taking 300mg of COQ10 and you feel tired of worse, don't stop taking in vitamin.....just cut the dose back and go at a more gradual approach until you work up to the recommended dose. I was a caregiver for both of my parents and researched a lot of stuff. Of course my mother's cancer and heart were to far gone. And Daddy had Parkinson's for over 25 years. My father had no surgery, moved around until the day he passed away. My 1st cousin was diagnosed at 33,now47 had 5 surgery's and barely gets by. If he undoes his batteries on the right he has no control what so ever pm the left, if he undoes the batteries on the left he has no control on the right. I seen my 69 year old father able to still move and talk after going for a while as my cousin can only go for so long. Again, check with your Dr. before you do anything. And always second and third opinions and other info helps. God Bless you