What is Parkinson’s Disease? (PD)
Parkinson’s disease is caused by death of nerve cells in mid section of the brain; particularly the cells that are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine. This reduction causes, Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition where part of the brain become progressively more damaged over many years.
Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body and the reduction of this chemical is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The average age for the symptoms to start is around 60; although around 1 in 20 cases first develop in people aged fewer than 50. Men are one-and-half times more likely to get Parkinson’s disease than women.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s
The brain cells and nerves affected in PD normally help to produce smooth, co-ordinated movements of muscles. Therefore, following common Parkinson’s symptoms that gradually develop are:
a) Tremor: One of the first symptoms observed in one or both hands, often spreading to the feet. Observed shaking and involuntary movements.
b) Stiffness: Stiffness of muscles (rigidity) and muscles may feel tenser. Also, your arms do not tend to swing as much when you walk. Sometime this disease creates lower work capacity in our movement or necessities. The degenerate of bone, limitation articulate and atrophies in our body.
c) Hyperkinesias. Poor mobility in articulation and slow projection in the movement, frustration.
These symptoms tend slowly to become worse. However, the speed in which symptoms become worse varies from person to person. It may take several years before they become bad enough to have much effect on your life. At first, one side of your body may be more affected than the other.
Massage & Parkinson
Massage for Parkinson’s can be very effective; efficient in muscle relaxation and relieving tension, preventing the muscle spasms, cramps and boosting the blood circulation processes.
The benefits of massage therapy have long been recognized as effective for people with Parkinson’s disease. Because Parkinson’s disease typically causes muscle stiffness and rigidity, a qualified Massage Therapist will have the ability to alleviate joint and muscle stiffness, making Massage as a form of treatment a logical choice. As long as the client has sensation in the area being worked on, it is safe for bodywork, if sensation is lacking it may not be advised.
Different massage techniques have been useful to help people with Parkinson feel better. Quantifiable research is available in the context of Parkinsonism, including Alexander Technique and, Swedish massage, Lymphatic Drainage, digit pressure and others. Also, passive stretches with Massage offers a great fusion as a therapy to take your Parkinson to a low level of pain.
At YOU Massage Therapy we offer a Holistic/Remedial treatment to person’s with Parkinson’s and we have had good feedback from clients that are already showing a great improvement in function, from the reduction of rigidity and improvement of sleep and relaxation, to the reduction of tremor and increase of daily activity stamina. Our Therapists are also trained to give homecare, meaning you will gain an understanding and level of control over your body, how it’s effected and how to control it.
Massage and Exercise, the Benefits
Other ways to delay the degenerative process, is by practicing systematic physical exercises. There are countless benefits of physical exercise in the treatment of this disease.
- Slows the progress enabling the delay of a stage to another.
- Increases quality of life, ability to perform more day to day activities
- Counter other associated diseases by immobility itself such as: Circulatory diseases, cardiovascular, respiratory and other.
- Occupation constitutes a useful time frame.
- The motivation for life.
- It allows the patient pull of isolation, so that their depression decreases, allows socialization.
- Physical exercise decreases insomnia.
- The practice of exercises enables the release of endorphins, which produce pleasure and euphoria.
It is important when battling PD to maintain a regime of systematic activity in areas where our body can be more effective. These activities should show how we can support our body in these cases. These Systematic processes are imminent in adaptive and survival of the individual person with these disease; Massage can apply passive movement to the areas to improve muscle tone and flexibility. We understand that the exercise may seem difficult but with guidance and support you can improve the quality of the life of a person with Parkinson’s.
For more information, call 02380 639 747, ask to speak with Guillermo, our resident in-house expert.
