5 Parkinson’s Disease Natural Treatment Remedies – DrAxe

Parkinsons diseaseis a degenerative illness of the nervous system that results in loss of intentional movement and impaired motor functioning.Parkinsons disease affects smooth, natural movements of the body, and can make it hard to perform everyday tasks like speaking properly, walking, swallowing and sleeping.

With Parkinsons, the area of the brain that controls muscular movements receives less dopamine than usual. Dopamine is an important chemical necessary for not only coordinating proper body movements, but also things like learning, increasing motivation and regulating moods. This is one reason why depression and other mood changes often affect those with Parkinsons.

What causes Parkinsons, and is it curable? There is no specific known cause, but some aggravating factors include exposure to certain chemicals and toxic water, plus inflammation of the brain. While there is no cure for Parkinsons (the condition is both chronic and progressive), there are medications available to boost dopamine in the brain and to help manage symptoms.(01)

When it comes to the effectiveness of medications and traditional drugs, often over time Parkinsons symptoms will stop responding. This is why its very important to take extra measures to slow down the progression of symptoms, ideally in the early stages of the disease. Below youll learn about natural ways to help do this, including Parkinsons remedies like eating an anti-inflammatory diet and exercising which can effectively improve this difficult condition.

Parkinsons diseaseis a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects older people most often, and men more often than women. (02) Its believed to be caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors.

Characteristics of Parkinsons include tremors, muscle stiffness, poor balance and difficulty walking. Although symptoms vary from person to person, with time simple tasks like getting dressed in the morning or going to work can often become a chore.

Because Parkinsons disease is a chronic condition, symptoms usually persist over a long period of time and also progress with age. Each Parkinsons patient is different, so its common to experience varying levels of different symptoms. For this reason, some patients respond better to certain natural treatments than others.

Symptoms of Parkinsons fall into two major categories: those related to motor functions, and those related to changes in someones mood.The four most common signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease include:(03)

Other symptoms that can also occur, which often impact someones moods and other behaviors, include:

There isnt one single cause of Parkinsons that has been proven at this time. Researchers believe a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, neurological damage, inflammation and brain cell deterioration are among the primary factors that trigger Parkinsons development. But why exactly patients develop these problems is a complex issue that remains up for debate.

What is known is that certain risk factors can make someone more susceptible to developing Parkinsons disease, which can include:(04)

Although they are not the only option, pharmaceutical drugs can be used to help stabilize a Parkinsons patients moods and improve motor control. Parkinsons treatments can be classified into three general categories:(05)

Best Foods For Treating Parkinsons:

Its important for Parkinsons patients to eat a whole foods, nutrient-dense diet that includes plenty of fresh organic fruit, vegetables and high-quality meats. Removing processed foods and those that contain preservatives, synthetic ingredients and other chemicals is also very beneficial.

To improve this condition, start with a healthy Parkinsons disease diet which includes the following foods:

Foods To Avoid That Can Make Parkinsons Worse:

Supplements & Essential Oils For Parkinsons:

Exercises & Other Natural Remedies For Parkinsons:

Washington University School of Medicine reports that exercise is the forefront of Parkinsons treatment. (09) While peoplewith Parkinsons are not always able to exercise the way they once did before the disease, studies have actually found that most can retain the ability to participate in many forms of exercise just as well as age-matched subjects without the disease. In those who might be at risk for Parkinsons but have not yet developed symptoms, research suggests that midlife exercise significantly reduces the later risk of both dementia and other mild cognitive impairments.(010)

Numerous studies now show that exercise seems to have many anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and neuroprotective mechanisms which improve cognitive health. Animal studies have revealed manyexercise-related protective effects including reductions in dopaminergic neurotoxins, improved brain neurotrophic factors and improved neuroplasticity.

1. Move With Caution

Parkinsons can throw off someones sense of balance and make it difficult to walk with a normal gait. Here are tips that can make movement safer and a bit easier:

2. Stretch To Prevent Stiff Muscles

Gentle exercise and stretching make everyday tasks easier. They can also help reduce stiffness, soreness and pain. Heres a simple four-step sequence you can do daily to keep loose and prevent muscle spasms or pain: 1. Stand eight inches away from a wall and reach your arms upward. Place your hands on the wall for balance and stretch out the arms and back. 2. Next, turn around and place your back against the wall for balance. Gently march in place, lifting your knees as high as possible. 3. Sitting in a chair, reach your arms behind the chair, bringing your shoulders back as far as possible. Lift your head toward the ceiling as you stretch. 4. From the chair, stomp your feet up and down while pumping your arms back and forth at your sides.

3. Pratice Mind-Body Practices Like Tai Chi

Tai Chi is the Chinese martial art of slow, rhythmic movement. Research conducted by theDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine at West China Hospital shows that in Parkinsons patients Tai Chi is great for maintaining strength and balance, reducing risk for falls, and can also helps alleviate anxiety or depression. (011) Long recommended as a way for seniors to stay active and fit, research is now suggesting it can help manage Parkinsons symptoms by improving range of motion, balance and focus. An hour of Tai Chi twice a week is recommended for helping with stability, coordination and tasks like walking.

4. Water Aerobics

Troubling balancing, muscle loss, strength decline and stiffness can make traditional exercises difficult. Water aerobics can have the same benefits as other types of conventional exercise without the risk of falling.

A study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science showed that older adults who participated in water sports had significant increases in leg strength, better recovery of balance after falls, significant improvements in gait patterns and lowered risk of future injuries from falling. (012) Be sure to use the shallow end of the pool to avoid accidents, and try having a buddy come along for extra motivation and support. Joining a group class might be beneficial for emotional support and additional motivation.

5. Acupuncture

Eastern medicine can often be looked down upon in the West, but some scientists argue its worth a closer look regarding the treatment of both cognitive disorders and mood-related illnesses. According to theNeurodegenerative Disease Research Group at Kings College in London, recent research has shown acupuncture can relieve Parkinsons symptoms by generating a neural response in areas of the brain that are particularly affected by inflammation, such as the putamen and the thalamus.

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to help reduce pain, anxiety, insomnia and stiffness. Now its suggested that it can even helpslow cell death and attenuate oxidative stress that causes damage to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. (013)

The natural treatments mentioned above cannot guarantee that someone is protected from Parkinsons, or control all symptoms of the disease in all patients. Unfortunately due to the unpredictability of Parkinsons disease symptoms, it often makes the disease hard to diagnose and treat in many cases.

If you start to notice gradual changes in your movement control and moods, it might be wise to speak with a doctor about your symptoms, especially is cognitive disorders run in your family. The National Parkinsons Foundation offers resources for spotting the disease in its earliest stages, and recommends considering testing if you experience such changes as loss of smell, sight, grip, stability, or ability to go to the bathroom and walk normally.

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5 Parkinson's Disease Natural Treatment Remedies - DrAxe