Brain & Nervous System Parkinson's Disease Living With Alternative Treatments for Parkinson's Disease By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD on September 29, 2019 Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology. She is an associate professor of neurology at Tufts Medical School and medical director of the Lahey Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Center in Lexington, Massachusetts. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on October 24, 2019 Print For people with Parkinson's disease, treatment typically involves the use of medications that help minimize movement problems and control symptoms. A disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson's disease also can be better managed with the help of certain lifestyle changes. Since many medications used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease can cause severe side effects, patients often seek alternative treatment options. Arno Masse / Getty Images The Importance of Treatment As Parkinson's disease takes its course, nerve cells responsible for the production of dopamine (a brain chemical that helps control muscle movement) slowly die off. As more and more of these cells are destroyed, the patient suffers from a loss of muscle function. But by undergoing treatment for Parkinson's disease, it may be possible to better control the following symptoms: Problems with movementDifficulty swallowingImpaired balance and walkingMuscle aches and painsRigid or stiff musclesShakingSlowed speech Seeking treatment for Parkinson's disease also might help reduce the risk of Parkinson's-related complications, such as depression, sleep problems, urinary problems, constipation, and sexual dysfunction. Treatment Options for Parkinson's Disease Standard Treatment Standard treatment for Parkinson's disease often involves the use of medications that help boost the brain's supply of dopamine. Although these medications can help improve symptoms, many drugs prescribed to Parkinson's patients can cause severe side effects (including hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). What's more, many symptoms stop responding well to drug treatment over time. Therefore, it's extremely important for Parkinson's patients to work closely with their doctors to monitor their symptoms and adjust their treatment programs. Your Guide to Parkinson's Medications In many cases, physical therapy can help improve mobility and range of motion for people with Parkinson's disease. Surgery also may be advisable as part of treatment for some patients. Lifestyle Changes Doctors often recommend the following lifestyle changes as part of treatment for Parkinson's disease: Good nutritionRegular exerciseRegular rest and good sleep hygieneStress managementUse of assisting devices, such as special eating utensils Living with Parkinson’s Disease Alternative Treatments The use of alternative medicine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease has yet to be extensively researched. However, a small number of studies suggest that the following natural approaches may be of some benefit to Parkinson's patients. Acupuncture Early research indicates that receiving acupuncture (a needle-based Chinese therapy) may help improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, as well as reduce depression and insomnia in Parkinson's patients. However, in a 2008 research review of 11 clinical trials, investigators concluded that "the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating Parkinson's disease is not convincing." Tai Chi In a 2008 pilot study involving 33 people with Parkinson's disease, researchers determined that 10 to 13 weeks of tai chi practice led to some improvement in movement (as well as in well-being). But in a research review published the same year, scientists found insufficient evidence to suggest that tai chi could be an effective intervention for Parkinson's disease. Coenzyme Q10 Because people with Parkinson's disease often have low levels of coenzyme Q10 (a substance essential for the basic functioning of cells), it's thought that taking dietary supplements of coenzyme Q10 might aid in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In a 2007 clinical trial involving 131 Parkinson's disease patients, however, researchers found that taking coenzyme Q10 supplements for three months did not significantly improve symptoms. Using Alternative Medicine for Parkinson's Disease As with conventional medicine, no type of alternative therapy has been found to stop the progression of Parkinson's disease. If you're interested in using alternative medicine as part of your Parkinson's disease treatment program, talk to your doctor about which alternative therapies might be helpful for you. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences. Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstance or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hackney ME, Earhart GM. "Tai Chi improves balance and mobility in people with Parkinson disease." Gait Posture. 2008 28(3):456-60. Lee MS, Lam P, Ernst E. "Effectiveness of tai chi for Parkinson's disease: a critical review." Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2008 14(8):589-94. Lee MS, Shin BC, Kong JC, Ernst E. "Effectiveness of acupuncture for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review." Mov Disord. 2008 15;23(11):1505-15. MayoClinic.com. "Parkinson's disease: Alternative medicine". Shulman LM, Wen X, Weiner WJ, Bateman D, Minagar A, Duncan R, Konefal J. "Acupuncture therapy for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease." Mov Disord. 2002 17(4):799-802. Storch A, Jost WH, Vieregge P, Spiegel J, Greulich W, Durner J, Müller T, Kupsch A, Henningsen H, Oertel WH, Fuchs G, Kuhn W, Niklowitz P, Koch R, Herting B, Reichmann H; German Coenzyme Q(10) Study Group. "Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on symptomatic effects of coenzyme Q(10) in Parkinson disease." Arch Neurol. 2007 64(7):938-44. The National Institutes of Health. "Parkinson's disease: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". The National Institutes of Health. "Coenzyme Q10: MedlinePlus Supplements".