complementary therapies and parkinson’s 1 This booklet is for people There are many complementary who are interested in using therapies available, too many for complementary therapies, us to cover them all. So we have alongside their Parkinson’s brought together the most popular treatment, to help them therapies, chosen by people with manage their Parkinson’s Parkinson’s and their carers. symptoms. Carers, family The booklet is designed to give and friends may also you the basic information you like to find out whether need to help you decide which they may benefit from complementary therapies, if any, complementary treatments. are right for you. It also details how people use each therapy and where Although no treatments or you can go to find out more. therapies have been scientifically proven to slow, stop or reverse the development of Parkinson’s, we have heard from many people with the condition who have had positive experiences of complementary therapies. As with all treatments for Parkinson’s, dierent things work for dierent people. So we encourage anyone aected by the condition who is interested in complementary therapies to explore what works for them. Contents What are complementary therapies? .............................................................................. 5 The evidence about complementary therapies ................................................ 7 Why do people use complementary therapies? .............................................. 9 Are complementary therapies safe? ................................................................................. 10 Accessing complementary therapies ............................................................................... 15 I’m a carer. Would I benefit from using complementary therapies? ............................................................................................................. 16 What are the main complementary therapies used by people with Parkinson’s? ......................................................................................... 17 Acupuncture .............................................................................................................................................................. 21 Alexander technique ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Aromatherapy .......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Art therapy .................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Ayurveda ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Bowen technique ................................................................................................................................................. 30 Chiropractic ................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Conductive education ................................................................................................................................... 34 Dance therapy ......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Feldenkrais method .......................................................................................................................................... 39 Herbal medicine ..................................................................................................................................................... 41 Homeopathy.............................................................................................................................................................. 43 Kinesiology ................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Laughter therapy ................................................................................................................................................. 47 Massage therapy ................................................................................................................................................. 48 Meditation and relaxation techniques ...................................................................................... 50 Music therapy .......................................................................................................................................................... 53 Osteopathy ................................................................................................................................................................. 54 Pilates ................................................................................................................................................................................. 56 Reflexology .................................................................................................................................................................. 58 Reiki ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 Shiatsu ............................................................................................................................................................................... 63 T’ai chi ................................................................................................................................................................................ 64 Yoga therapy ............................................................................................................................................................. 67 More support and information ................................................................................................. 69 4 What are complementary therapies? Complementary therapies are Integrated medicine treatments used alongside Some experts use the term conventional medicine. ‘integrated medicine’ to emphasise that all therapies – conventional The term is oen confused and complementary – are part with alternative medicine. of one process. To avoid confusion, here are Complementary medicine some definitions. This is the term we use in this Alternative medicine booklet. It means therapies that This means a replacement for can be used alongside your usual mainstream or conventional medical treatment. medicine. It is based on historical Conventional medicine focuses or cultural traditions, rather on understanding and correcting than on scientific evidence. the problems that are causing We would not recommend you symptoms. Complementary to replace medication with an therapies tend to take a more alternative treatment. holistic approach. So, in other words, they aim to treat the whole person including mind, body and spirit, rather than just the symptoms. 5 Are complementary Hopefully, this will give you a better therapies beneficial? idea of what people are trying and how they have found them. There is no simple answer to this But bear in mind that everyone question. There are so many types will have a dierent experience. of therapy, it is impossible to generalise. For some complementary therapies there is evidence (see page 7 for an I would advise people explanation about evidence) to to try the dierent therapies show they have benefits. “ available. My wife has For other therapies, there is no Parkinson’s and has tried research to prove it has any benefits for people with Parkinson’s, yet we all sorts of dierent hear from many people aected treatments. Some have who feel it helps them. not been eective for her It will also depend on what you symptoms, but they have expect from complementary motivated her and inspired therapies. For example, you may not feel a particular therapy is her to do something. having a positive eect on your Parkinson’s can make Parkinson’s symptoms, but you you feel like things aren’t may enjoy the experience. In these worth doing, so anything circumstances, you may feel this is enough of a reason to continue. that gives you positive feelings or hope cannot Throughout the booklet we have included comments from people be a bad thing! aected by Parkinson’s who have Laurie, whose wife has tried some of the therapies. Parkinson’s ” Please remember these are people’s personal opinions – Parkinson’s UK does not endorse any particular therapy. 6 The evidence about complementary therapies Conventional medication goes This makes it impossible for us to through a thorough testing process compare therapies and tell you what before it is made available. It is does and does not work. tested in clinical trials and is required to meet scientific Which evidence do I trust? standards to prove it works, There is a lot of information about it is acceptably safe and common complementary therapies, especially side eects are clearly stated on on the internet, that is claimed to be the patient information leaflet. based on scientific evidence. But not all of it is reliable. Unfortunately, complementary therapies are not as rigorously To help