Parkinson and Massage
Overview
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking. (1)
After this brief introduction to what Parkison is, we can look in too the mechanism behind this disorder.
What we know so far, is that Parkinson’s affects more men than women.
Regarding the mechanism behind Parkinson, we have to look into the loss of neuro cells in the Basal Ganglia, a brain area that controls the body’s movement.
These are specific neuro cells that produce a brain substance called Dopamine, which is related to body movement.
Still, now scientists don’t know, what can make the cell in the Basal Ganglia die.
Along with the loss of dopamine production in the Basal Ganglia, for those who suffer from Parkinson, there is also to consider the loss of the nerve endings that produce norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine is the main chemical messenger of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
As the SNS is in control of many automatic body functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, this can explain how the symptoms related to Parkinson’s itself.
Symptoms
- Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
- Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time
- Slowness of movement
- Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls
Other symptoms may include:
- Depression and other emotional changes
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing and speaking
- Urinary problems or constipation
- Skin problems
What about Parkinson and Massage?
Scientist suggests that massage can help reduce muscle stiffness and rigidity, symptoms that often are found in Parkinson’s patient.
Massages are also good to reduce stress and promoting relaxation.
Said so, receiving a massage enables the patient to individualism what are are more sensitive to the touch and what can promote more benefit if stimulated.
Indeed at the end of the massage, specific exercises can be given to focusing relieve tension from that body’s area.
At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, Giovanni offers a range of different services that can help with reducing tensions with Parkinson’sons’ disease.
Given the fact that Parkinson’s is a condition found mostly in older people, Remedial Massage and MLD could be more indicated.
Said so, in regard to MLD we want always to double confirm that there is no other condition, related or not related to Parkinson that could be partial or absolute contraindications.
Reference:
1) https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease