Alternative therapies for PD - has anyone tried any ? Thinking about acupuncture or Bowen technique but don't know which to try ?

[Helshubby]

[Hidden]

Hello,

I would like to try acupuncture too. Sometimes my shoulders feel like they are as high as my ears.and I cant relax. Motrin is my best friend. I stretch and do Yoga daily, when that doesn't help a massage usually does the trick. When I get really bad- tight- I will go and have some sessions of physical therapy. I was told that acupunture works great and can relieve the problem just not sure how long it would last. I haven't heard of the Bowen technique--Guess I need to research. Have great day.

[Helshubby]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.Tai Chi normally sorts me out but i'm always looking for something to supplement it - acupuncture has been shown to affect motor symptoms apparently (loads of research papers on the internet) Bowen therapy uses a set of moves to affect "energy flow" and bring the body back into balance (apparently) I think i'll give acupuncture a shot - it's been used a lot longer (Bowen started in 1940s) I'll let you know how i get on - just need to find an acupuncturist who's familiar with Parkinson's and the research that's been done so far.....................wish me luck

[jillannf6]

hi helshubbby

i sympahtise iwth you - i ahve PSP and find tai chi v good for balance and for slowing me down

i had acupuncture iin th pas t - nto fo rparkinsosn or psp and am not sure whether ei tsi any bette rhtan a massage,.,.and i tis expensive

lol JIll

[bmiairo]

I tried acupuncture. Nothing. Bowen seems to work a little.tai chi also. Do not expect much...

Mihai

[janab]

I have tried acupuncture and find it very helpful for getting rid of pain.but it did nothing for muscle rigidity or tremor. Research now shows that certain acupuncture points are definitely related to Parkinson's.

[maryalice]

I tried acupuncture when I was first diagnosed about 15 years ago. It helped, but not enough to warrant continuing it. Maybe it's better now since more research has been done.

I've been having Bowen treatments for about 10 months. It seems to help relieve some of the pain. Here's a web site about Bowen Therapy if your interested. Blessings

DrsDiscoveries.com

[suetdumpling]

Hi Helshubby,

Don't expect any instant relieve! Just relax & enjoy being pampared.

Tried both. I didn't get any effects from Bowen.

Acupuncture did ease the pain on shoulder & knee.

Don't think anything help to Parkinsons!

suetdumpling

[alllowercase]

I had acupuncture at the onset period of my PD, but it was not given for PD as I had not then been diagnosed. I had a substantial rear-end car accident on 30th June 2008 and was lucky enough at that time to have private medical insurance. I was treated in Harley Street, London. The original diagnosis,and I have the MRI images for it, was damage to the left Deltoid muscle and tendon, and spinal damage in the form of two protruding discs at the junction of the neck and spine.

The discs were deemed inoperable, as the morbidity rate for that surgery was too high at 78%. The deltoids were treated with 10 sessions of acupuncture and physiotherapy, then surgery under general anaesthetic. This worked for about 3 months, and I had a further 7 sessions of acupuncture and physiotherapy, again giving only a short period of relief, and followed by the same surgery. The Lawyers then classed the injury as permanent, and sent me to a private Neurologist for EMG tests, to get a definition as to how much of this should be classed as due to the accident. It was he who diagnosed the PD, and he performed some additional EMG tests to define it, free of charge.

In July 2009, I had my first appointment with the excellent Neurology team at the UCLH here in London.

So, to summarise, at the start the PD wasn't recognised, but I had 17 sessions of acupuncture (just over 12 hours total), but it only gave limited scope and duration of relief, and I would not do it again. To add an addendum, my Neurologists have commented that they feel that the PD was present but latent until the accident triggered it into life in the same way as has been proved to happen with certain cancers.

Good luck

Adrian

[Helshubby in reply to alllowercase]

Neuros i have seen are all of the opinion that head trauma could have triggered PD.

I had a major mountain biking accident where i came off at around 30mph , broke both wrists and made a massive dent in a perfectly good helmet - it's just a good thing i was wearing one !!

[bmiairo]

Today i had again Bowen therapy, and I feel a litle better.

Mihai

[bmiairo]

Better means that i have more energy.

[PatV]

I tried acupuncture and got an injury in the hip. Twitching! Massage is great if you can afford it. I'm in a program of exercise classes for pwp's. Check out Alexander Technique, M.E.L.T., Pamela Quinn's movement (she's a professional dancer with PD and is on You Tube), NIA, yoga. Also anything that involves your vocalizing (you have to breathe!) And have fun

[rustjudge]

I have employed acupuncture with mixed results-----am unfamiliar with Bowen therapy.