Complementary Therapies

Conventional medicine has come a long way when it comes to helping people with PD live well. Between the varieties and combinations of medications and surgical therapies, many people with PD have been able to find conventional treatment regiments that work well for them.

However, the options to help people with Parkinson's live well don't stop there. There are various complimentary therapies that people with Parkinson's experiment with, under the care of their medical team, to reduce symptoms even more.

Complementary therapies are those that are used alongside medical treatment. This is different from alternative therapies, which are used in place of traditional medical treatment. People with PD choose to try complementary therapies for a variety of reasons:

They aren't getting the relief they want from their Parkinson's medications
They see it as a way to take control of their health
They've heard from friends with PD that a specific therapy worked for them
They like the social aspect that comes with participating in many complementary therapies
Their complementary therapies of choice makes them feel more at ease, relaxed, and at peace

Complementary Therapies can also include any forms of exercise which are listed in the Exercise section. For the purposes of this section, we will focus on other Complementary Therapy alternatives. Click on the red box to dive deeper into each therapy type and how you can learn more about it.

Disclaimer: The Parkinson's Association of Alabama provides awareness and education about possible complementary therapies to incorporate into your overall wellness plan. The PAA does not endorse or suggest any specific therapy and it is at the discretion of each person living with Parkinson's and their Care Partners for incorporating any complementary therapies into their wellness plan. You should always consult with your physician prior to starting any new complimentary therapy treatments.