Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Can Be Eased by Therapeutic Massage in 
Bradenton and Sarasota FL
Published by businesslocallistings August 4th, 2009 in Health.

Studies have proven that symptoms of Parkinson's Disease can be eased by 
therapeutic massage. There are more than half a million Americans afflicted 
with Parkinson's Disease and 50,000 more are diagnosed every year. Although 
there is still no known cure, medication helps alleviate its symptoms. You 
can further support medication with massage therapy from therapeutic massage 
spas in Bradenton and Sarasota FL.

Parkinson's Disease is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous 
system in which the brain is unable to produce dopamine. As a result, motor 
functions are impaired. Symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, disturbing 
dreams and daytime somnolence. There is general muscle weakness, slowness, 
loss of reflexes and loss of both fine and gross motor coordination and 
balance. The body becomes rigid and stiff. The face becomes mask-like, 
blinking infrequently. The neck and trunk cannot twist. Arms cannot swing 
normally. Posture becomes unstable. The body starts to stoop. Painful muscle 
contractions occur, often twisting extremities. Tremor sets in. Gait is 
affected and the patient starts to shuffle. The patient is also unable to 
sit still. Speech deteriorates, becoming hoarse and monotonous or too rapid 
and unintelligible. The patient has difficulty swallowing and starts to 
drool. Depression and apathy develops and leads to executive dysfunction 
then memory loss and dementia,

A study entitled "Parkinson's Disease Symptoms are Reduced by Massage 
Therapy and Progressive Muscle Exercises" was conducted by Maria 
Hernandez-Reif, PhD; Tiffany Field, PhD; Shay Largie; Christy Cullen; Julia 
Beutler; Chris Sanders; William Weiner; Dinorah Rodriguez-Bateman and 
Lisette Zelaya Saul of the Touch Research Institute, the University of Miami 
School of Medicine's Department of Neurology and the Duke University 
Department of Pharmacology.

The participants of the study consisted of 16 adults with Parkinson's 
Disease. They were randomly divided into two groups. The massage therapy 
group was given 30 minute massage therapy sessions twice a week for five 
weeks. Half of that time was spent with the participants in prone position, 
with the massage concentrated on their back, buttocks, ribs, thighs, calves 
and feet. The other half of the time, the participants were in supine 
position with the massage concentrated on their head, face, neck, upper 
arms, forearms,hands, thighs, lower legs and feet.
The second group was given 30 minute progressive muscle relaxation sessions 
twice a week for five weeks. The participants were asked to lie on their 
backs and were guided by taped messages to tighten and relax specific 
muscles.

Urine samples were analyzed before and after the study to determine hormonal 
levels of participants. Every day of the study, participants assessed 
themselves and were assessed by doctors using the Activities of Daily Life 
Scale and the 15-item sleep scale. The latter measured their quality of 
sleep and fatigue levels.

At the end of the study, the massage therapy group showed a significant 
decrease in levels of the stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine. 
Ephinephrine is adrenaline. It is released whenever the body senses danger. 
Norepinephrine is also activated by stressful conditions. Both produce the 
fight or flight reaction and contribute to the weakening of the immune 
system.

By the end of the study, the massage therapy group also showed significant 
improvement in daily functioning and quality of sleep, with decreased sleep 
disturbance.

Massage therapy was, therefore, proven to be a valuable support treatment 
for the early symptoms of patients with Parkinson's Disease.
Almost all types of therapeutic massage are effective for easing symptoms of 
Parkinson's Disease, except perhaps pregnancy massage therapy. There is 
reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, Swedish massage 
therapy and sports massage therapy . Professional therapeutic massage 
therapists offer these services in massage therapy spas in Bradenton and 
Sarasota FL.

Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
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