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Hey All, Finally, something I have some expertise with. This was my area of study in College (I graduate June 16th). While massage is by no stretch of the imagination a cure, there are many benefits for a PWP........aside from the fact that it DOES feel good. :O) During my training I had the opportunity to work with people in varying stages of Parkinson's. That is, in fact, how I came to be a part of this list. One of the more recent topics on this list has been regarding constipation. This happens as the result of peristalsis being decreased, whether through medications or strictly physical factors. Abdominal massage does wonders to help increase peristalsis, although that doesn't mean you can stop eating fiber (I was asked that once). If you deal with tremors of any kind, these tend to be increased by stress and/or anxiety (which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, also refered to as the flight or fight response). Massage helps to override this and allows your parasympathic nervous system (also refered to as rest & digest) to kick in, therefore decreasing the occurance of tremors in many. Muscle rigidity and spasming both respond well to pressure techniques that affect Golgi Tendon Organs and release proprioceptors (these both allow for increased length in a muscle). Prolonged rigidity in a particular area causes a loss of range of motion which then can lead to joint contractures. A registered Massage Therapist is trained to do joint mobilizations (although not to the extent that a chiropractor does) and remedial exercises which both help greatly with maintaining your range of motion. These are just a few of the things that popped into my head when I saw this posting. Unfortunately massage therapy is not always an option for PWP, it depends on what your insurance will cover. If it is an option for you though, it is well worth looking into. One more suggestion, if you can, look for a Registered Massage Therapist that has been trained in Ontario or in British Columbia. These 2 provinces have the highest standards of training anywhere in North America. For those of you who reside in the States, many RMT's are heading across the border to practice in your country.........one fellow from my class is headed for California. Okay, I'm climbing off my soapbox now. If any of you have any questions, I'll do my very best to answer them for you. Oh, just for the record........none of this replaces your medications, it only helps by working alongside them. Peace Pat "Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD" wrote: > Dear Listfriends, > FYI -- > > A Rub to Slow Parkinson's: Massage not only feels good, but helps these > patients... > http://www.ivanhoe.com/stream/arubtoslowparkinsons.html > > Best, > Kathrynne > > -- > Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD > Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" > "Constipation and Parkinson's" -- audiocassette & guidebook > "Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy for Parkinson's disease" > & Risk Assessment Tools > "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson's disease," > J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. > http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/