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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 [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn