Is massage effective for Parkinson's disease?

Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
Updated on May 18, 2025
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The treatment of Parkinson's disease is comprehensive, with medication being the core method. Surgical treatments can supplement medication, and it is also important to include physical rehabilitation and psychological therapy. When patients have their symptoms and signs controlled by medication, massage can be administered to enhance their motor abilities and coordination, improving symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Massage therapy, therefore, has proven to be somewhat effective in this respect.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is Parkinson's disease progressing quickly?

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that has a very concealed onset and progresses very slowly, making the progression of this disease not rapid. Patients can generally take care of themselves for about three to five years, or even five to ten years, without having to worry too much about this disease. This disease primarily causes patients to experience obvious bradykinesia, mask-like faces, drooling, resting tremors, and increased muscle tone among other clinical manifestations, which can significantly distress patients. However, the progression of this disease is relatively slow, and the signs and symptoms on the left and right sides of the body are also asymmetric. After effective pharmacological treatments, such as commonly used levodopa and dopamine receptor agonists, patients' symptoms can usually be well controlled and the progression is slow. If the disease progresses very quickly, it could potentially be Parkinsonian syndrome.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Can Parkinson's disease be cured?

The core treatment for Parkinson's disease currently is pharmacotherapy, with surgical treatment serving as a supplement. Additionally, physical rehabilitation and psychological therapy are also recommended. The most effective drugs against Parkinson's at present include Levodopa, or compound Levodopa preparations. Other treatments include dopamine receptor agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, amantadine, anticholinergic drugs, and catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibitors. Furthermore, there are treatments aimed at non-motor symptoms, such as psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairments, autonomic dysfunctions, and sleep disorders. For drug treatments, it is advisable to start with a low dose and gradually increase to an appropriate dosage while maintaining the medication regimen. Currently, we cannot cure Parkinson's disease; we can only provide relief to the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease through comprehensive treatment. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What to do about constipation in Parkinson's disease?

Among Parkinson's disease patients, constipation is a very common clinical symptom. In fact, many patients have experienced constipation for many years before the onset of Parkinson's disease symptoms, mainly due to the impact on some autonomic nerves in the intestines. For Parkinson's patients experiencing constipation, the main suggestions are: First, be sure to drink plenty of water. Drinking enough water can sufficiently lubricate the intestines and facilitate smoother bowel movements. Second, be sure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamin C and can promote gastrointestinal motility. Additionally, it is recommended for patients to eat more bananas, as bananas have an evident laxative effect. Also, eat less of certain foods that can dry out the stool, such as sweet potatoes and chestnuts. If necessary, patients can be given laxative medications, and if bowel movements are extremely difficult, enemas can also be administered.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can Parkinson's disease be cured?

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder, and there are many medications and treatments that can improve the quality of life for patients and alleviate their clinical symptoms. However, from the current medical perspective, it is impossible to achieve a complete cure. Therefore, patients with Parkinson's disease must not be deceived and should seek treatment at accredited hospitals. Currently, treatment for this disease primarily involves pharmacotherapy. There are various medications available, commonly including dopamine receptor agonists, Levodopa-based drugs, as well as some amantadine and anticholinergic drugs. Each drug has its own characteristics and should be chosen based on the patient's condition. Additionally, some patients in the middle or later stages may also undergo deep brain stimulation surgery to improve symptoms. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is a relatively common degenerative disease in the elderly, primarily causing the death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra of the midbrain, leading to corresponding clinical manifestations. Research has confirmed that other systems may also be damaged in the early stages of Parkinson's disease symptoms. The early symptoms may primarily include: First, patients experience persistent constipation, which is a very important early symptom of Parkinson's disease. Second, some patients may experience sleep disturbances, mainly characterized by tossing and turning, shouting out loud during sleep, without being aware of it. Additionally, some patients in the early stages may also experience a reduced sense of smell, constipation, cognitive impairment, and other clinical manifestations. There are also some early motor symptoms, mainly that the patient becomes clumsy and inflexible in the movements of one side of the body. These are the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.