Some of the following complementary therapies are popular in the Parkinson’s community.
Within the same approach, some therapies have shown benefits while others have not. For example, stimulating the 16th point of the governor vessel meridian using acupuncture can reduce tremors. This does not mean that other therapies are effective or safe.
Some therapies have also been shown to be effective for specific conditions (such as depression) but have never been studied in the Parkinson’s population.
Your neurologist and their team can guide you towards appropriate complementary therapies.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the stimulation, usually by means of needles, of specific areas of the skin, mucous membranes or subcutaneous tissues of the human body to improve health or relieve pain.
You can find a professional on the Association des acupuncteurs du Québec website.
Art therapy
Art therapy involves using different types of art to express emotional and physical difficulties.
You can find a professional on the Quebec Art Therapy Association website.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy consists of manual techniques to relieve muscle tension. Some massage therapy techniques, including the Trager approach, are particularly recommended in the management of Parkinson’s disease.
You can find a massage therapist on the federation’s website.
Music therapy
Whether or not you have music skills, music therapy is designed to treat physical and psychological conditions with music.
You can find a professional on the Association québécoise de musicothérapie website.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy aims to achieve optimal health through natural means. It includes nutritherapy (vitamins, minerals, etc.), phytotherapy (medicinal plants), aromatherapy (essential oils), hydrotherapy (water) and more.
You can find a naturopath on the association’s website.
Osteopathy
Osteopaths use muscle and joint stretching and massage techniques to restore the functionality of different parts of the body
You can find an osteopath on the association’s website
Pressotherapy
Pressotherapy is a technique used to improve blood circulation, thereby reducing water retention and leg swelling.
There is currently no existing pressotherapy association.
Reflexology
Reflexology consists of massaging different external points of the body to treat other internal parts of the body.
You can find a reflexology therapist on the association’s website.
Reiki
Reiki therapists channel the body’s healing energy by placing their hands on or near your body.
You can find a professional on the Association canadienne de reiki website.