Other treatments for Parkinson's disease
A specialist nurse
A specialist PD nurse is available in many PD clinics to provide support, information and counselling. A specialist nurse can also monitor response to treatment, and can give advice on how to adjust medication if necessary.
Therapies
For example:
- A physiotherapist can advise on posture, walking, and exercises.
- An occupational therapist can advise on such things as home adaptations which may ease many tasks.
- If difficulties with speech or swallowing occur, a speech and language therapist can help.
- The advice of a dietician and other therapists may be needed in some cases.
Surgery
Surgical techniques are being developed which may help some people who have had PD for several years. Surgery does not cure PD, but may help to ease symptoms when drugs are not working well. For example, chronic deep brain stimulation is a technique that involves putting a pulse generator (like a heart pacemaker) in the chest wall. Fine cables are tunnelled under the skin to electrodes placed in the brain. The electrodes stimulate the parts of the brain that is affected by PD and can help to ease symptoms.
Complementary therapies
Complementary therapies do not affect symptoms or the course of the disease. However, some therapies are good at easing stress and anxiety, which may help in your general well-being. Beware of any treatment that claims to 'cure' PD.
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