Parkinson's Disease
- Sara Becker, PT, DPT
- May 3
- 5 min read
Understanding the Symptoms, Treatments, and Tailored Exercises for Better Daily Living
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and overall function. For those newly diagnosed or supporting a loved one, the journey can feel overwhelming. This article provides a comprehensive look at Parkinson’s disease, with a special focus on early symptoms, treatment options, brain changes, and patient-specific exercises—empowering you to make informed decisions for care and quality of life.
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Let’s begin with the basics. Parkinson’s disease meaning: it is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, primarily impacting the parkinson’s disease brain—specifically, an area called the substantia nigra, which produces dopamine. Dopamine is a key chemical messenger that helps regulate movement and coordination.
As dopamine levels drop, the brain struggles to send clear movement signals to the body, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms and physical limitations.
Parkinson's Disease Symptoms
Recognizing parkinson’s disease symptoms early can be crucial in slowing progression and improving outcomes. Some of the most common parkinson’s disease early symptoms include:
Loss of smell
Tremors in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or face
Muscle stiffness, especially in the back and shoulders
Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
Impaired balance and coordination
Facial masking (reduced facial expression)
Small, cramped handwriting
Soft or slurred speech
Depression or mood changes
Sleep disturbances
Not everyone will experience all symptoms, and the severity and speed of progression vary widely from person to person.
Parkinson's Disease Treatment Options
There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but a range of parkinson’s disease treatment options can help manage symptoms effectively:
Complementary Therapies
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy play a significant role in improving function and maintaining independence.
I am very biased here as I've seen how life-changing the correct movement programs can make along with education:
Medications
Levodopa/Carbidopa: The gold standard in dopamine replacement.
Dopamine agonists: Mimic dopamine’s effects in the brain.
MAO-B Inhibitors: Help prevent dopamine breakdown.
Amantadine: Used for tremor and dyskinesia relief.
Surgical Options
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): Electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain to regulate movement
Parkinson's Disease Treatment Options
Targeted parkinson’s disease exercises can make a huge impact on mobility, balance, and flexibility. Regular movement is essential to delay deterioration and boost confidence. Here are some effective movement strategies:
Consistency is key—and exercises should always be customized to the patient’s ability and stage of progression.
Muscle Cramp Remedies That Work for Parkinson's Disease
Muscle cramps and stiffness can result from Parkinson's Disease
Topical Magnesium: Is especially helpful for muscle cramps at night. Trace Minerals magnesium lotion has helped me get out of some NASTY charlie horses, so I always have some at my nightstand (the spray is also effective). You can get 20% off with my Fullscript link, you just need to sign-up for an account but can continue to use this indefinitely
Epsom Salt Baths: are essentially bathing all your muscles in magnesium to help with muscle cramps. And of course, you can find discounts on epsom salt with my Fullscript link
Hydration and Electrolytes: Sip water and include electrolyte-rich foods or supplements (think bananas, coconut water, or magnesium). Check out my magnesium blog for my favorite electrolytes
Heat Therapy: Applying heat can calm the overactive muscles. Heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and reduces pain signals. Apply a moist heating pad for 15–20 minutes. Avoid excessive heat and duration to prevent burns. NOTE that moist heating pads are the most effective. My favorite brands are Thermophore and Thermipaq
Please Note: Some links on my site are affiliate links, which means that I collect a small portion of your sale, at no extra cost to you. This helps with the cost of running a website, providing services, etc.
Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT): NKT finds where your body is compensating from. If a muscle is over-working or under-working it can cause muscle cramping as that muscle is dying for help or dying to try and help. Find an NKT provider near you at www.nktdirectory.com or see Releaseology in Tempe, Arizona
Vagal Nerve Stimulation: Helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress-induced cramps, and improve body awareness.
The Releaseology Difference with Muscle Cramp Treatments
At Releaseology, I take a holistic, hands-on approach that goes beyond the textbook. Parkinson’s disease affects more than movement—it affects confidence, energy, and the ability to participate fully in life. My space is currently NOT conducive to treat the movement portion of Parkinson's Disease but I can certainly give you resources for this. My customized sessions target back pain and stiffness related to Parkinson’s disease, using manual therapies and neuro-focused techniques to help restore movement, reduce discomfort, and reconnect body and brain.
Whether you or a loved one are in the early stages or have been managing symptoms for years, I can help you explore relief strategies rooted in science and empathy.
Let's Move Toward Relief - Together
If you’re navigating Parkinson’s disease, you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s work together to ease your pain, improve your mobility, and help you reclaim control. Book a session today and experience the Releaseology difference.
➡️ Ready to take the next step? These are my services that include an assessment and evaluation of your back pain and stiffness. If you have specific questions for your care, you can always e-mail me at sara@releaseology.com or text 480.712.0699 or book a virtual consult
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
Essential Oils for Pain Relief
More from Releaseology
Don't forget to check out other resources on my site! You can book a session with me here, find a list of conditions I treat here, find more about me here, learn how to regulate your own vagus nerve and nervous system here and read more on my blog here. Lastly, follow me on my social channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!
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