According to Parkinson’s UK, Parkinson’s is the 2nd most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s. The disease is most commonly diagnosed in those 60 and older and is more common in men than women. At MG Osteopathy, we can help to figure out the best management plan for you.
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder primarily affecting movement control, mood and sometimes memory. In patients with the disease, the substantia nigra region of the brain’s nerve cells gradually decline, meaning they cannot perform their usual role of sending messages to coordinate movement.
Presentation: Signs and Symptoms
This depends on the individual, and also the stage of the disease. Signs and symptoms can include:
- tremors in one or both hands
- muscle stiffness (rigidity)
- slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
- balance and coordination difficulties
- stooped posture
- change in expression (described as ‘mask-like’ due to reduced ability to control the muscles involved in facial expression).
- cognitive changes and mood changes
Management of Parkinson’s
While the disease has no cure, there are things that can be done to slow down the progression of the disease, ease symptoms, and help improve quality of life.
- Medication. Parkinson’s has been formally diagnosed, patients are usually offered medications, the most common option being Levodopa.
- Exercise. Symptoms of parkinsons that manifest physically like stiffness, loss of balance, aches and pains, can all be eased with regular exercise. Read on or watch our social media video to see specific recommendations.
- Diet changes. Eating a healthy, balanced, low processed diet can help not only with overall health, but could potentially help with severity of symptoms.
- Manual therapy. Passive and active treatment (i.e. a mix of hands-on treatment and active movement instructed by a therapist such as an osteopath) this can help with muscle stiffness, posture, aches and pains, and improve balance and coordination.
- 5Counselling and support groups. Receiving a parkinson’s diagnosis can be difficult. There are many specialists that can help you manage mentally, as well as parkinson’s community groups that offer an array of support such as group exercise, or just the opportunity to talk to other people living with parkinson’s.
How MG Osteopathy can help
- At MG Osteopathy, we offer ongoing support for people living with Parkinson’s. The tailored approach our osteopaths take will help to formulate the best treatment plan for you, and our osteopaths give advice to ensure every aspect of your lifestyle from diet to sleep, is managed.
- We offer a 1-hour hybrid treatment approach which includes therapist-led exercise specifically selected for Parkinson’s management, followed by hands-on treatment to help ease your symptoms (including stretching, muscle release, manipulation).
- Book your initial Osteopathy today or call us for more info to begin your treatment journey.
If you suspect you have Parkinson’s or are dealing with some of the symptoms described above, we’re here to help. Reach out to MG Osteopathy today and take the first step towards managing your symptoms and improved well-being.
