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Alternative Treatment Options for PD

When you first get the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, it may seem as if there is no hope left and you just exist. However, there are many options of treatment to pursue to lessen the symptoms and delay the progression of the disease. It is not a death sentence but unless you become proactive with finding different treatments, you will slide faster down the hill of Parkinson's disease.

One of the oldest drugs created to combat Parkinson's symptoms is still used today because it is effective for many people at slowing down the disease. Levodopa's aim is to boost dopamine levels in the brain as low levels are the cause of the symptoms. Dopamine is the chemical neurotransmitter produced by nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra and it communicates with the different centers of the brain responsible for motor coordination. Levodopa has become the hallmark of drug treatment for Parkinson's but it doesn't reverse the disease.

While there is no known cure, there are many people who seek answers in alternative treatments for both a cure as well as an alleviation of symptoms. While Parkinson's may not have been known by that disease name, the condition has been around since ancient times and back then, alternative treatments were the standard. Here are some possibilities you might want to consider in addition to your traditional drug treatments:

1. Broad bean consumption - There is something called a broad bean that grows in Australia which is a source of L-dopa, a naturally occurring dopamine derivative which can help boost levels of the chemical and its effectiveness in the brain.

2. Ayurvedic medicine - Thousands of years have gone into this ancient Indian treatment whose focus is a complex balancing act of herbs, diet, meditation, exercise, massage and other practices. There is an herb called mucuna puriens which impersonates the effects of levodopa, the most popular drug treatment for Parkinson's disease.

3. Coenzyme Q10 - Researchers are still unclear as to why this works to alleviate symptoms but only that it does. However, some are ambivalent about suggesting this as the required dosage to be effective is over 1,000 milligrams, almost ten times the normal daily requirements. Doctor advice is definitely required.

4. St. John's Wort - This herb is popular for a variety of ailments and has been used overseas for years. St. John's Wort alleviates depression symptoms as well as insomnia, a common side effect in Parkinson's patients when dopamine levels are low.

5. Botulism A toxin - Botulism in its main form can make you sick and even cause death if not treated right away; it's a type of food poisoning. However, researchers have found ways to use these harmful bacteria in a variety of ways such as Botox injections and the creation of a solution that can ease the tremors and shaking of Parkinson's disease.

6. Massage and Acupuncture - These two alternative treatments work to alleviate the symptoms but in no way really delays the progression of the disease. The pressure points manipulated through acupuncture may relieve some motor coordination issues and even reduce sleep insomnia as well as provide a sense of well being. Massage works to alleviate the stiffness and pain associated with Parkinson's.

Trial and error is the key to hitting upon the right combination of alternative treatments that should be used in tandem with drug protocols and even surgery if that is what is prescribed for you. Most treatments, even the herbal ones are harmless, but always consult with your doctor before trying them.