By Elizabeth Grover
An important non-pharmacological treatment for Parkinson’s disease is massage therapy. Many people think of massage as simply an indulgence, but massage therapy does more than just relax you; it can be very helpful for several of the difficult symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Massage eases rigidity and increases blood flow
Massage can ease the joint and muscle stiffness that is a cardinal symptom of PD, because it works to relax the muscles and work out the tight spots. Constantly increasing stiffness and tremors lead to muscle exhaustion, similar to that found in athletes. However, exhausting sporting events are typically followed by long periods of rest, but the poor muscles of the Parkinson's patient never have any rest. Massage helps muscles to temporarily be softer and more pliable. Of course, the Parkinson’s-afflicted body will revert to its rigidity, so only regular massage can be of long-term benefit. But it has a powerful effect. In five minutes, the long strokes of Swedish massage carry 10 times the amount of blood to a muscle as arrives naturally during a 15-minute rest. (The increased blood flow can also help your medications to be better absorbed.)
Massage helps aches from exercise
Daily exercise is also recommended for those with Parkinson’s, and exercise can result in muscle aches and sore spots. These too can be alleviated by massage; massage helps keep the body not only flexible, but stronger and able to handle more activity. Many massage therapists have also seen improvement in their clients’ tremors.
Massage eases pain
The use of massage in Parkinson’s also can address the symptom of pain. Sometimes pain in PD is related to abnormalities in motor functioning or in body mechanics. Again if the abnormalities continue, the massage needs to be ongoing to be truly helpful.
Massage relieves stress
Finally, that characterization of massage as indulgent can also help people living with Parkinson’s. Massage can provide stress relief,, and stress is one of the most harmful challenges to PD.
Research about massage and PD
There is only a little research about massage in Parkinson’s, but in one study, a group of adults with Parkinson’s disease who received two massages a week for five weeks experienced improved daily functioning, increased quality of sleep and decreased stress-hormone levels. In another study, a woman with PD who could not walk on her own received one weekly massage for five weeks, and showed a decrease in resting tremors after every session, as well as an overall improvement in gait.
Massage therapists must be certified and licensed to be qualified to adminster massage therapy, but there is no training – either as part of their massage training or in addition to it – that trains them specifically for work with people with Parkinson’s.
Massage Therapists working with PWPs in Cincinnati
Patricia Anderson has a background in massage for people with injuries, especially sports injuries. But she finds a great overlap in her treatment of athletes and the treatment of Parkinson’s patients. She has worked for over two years with a number of Parkinson’s patients in her dedicated (and private) space at Alpha Neuro Fitness in the Norwood/St. Bernard area. She has learned a lot from Adam Magee, the trainer at ANF, and she also did the training course about PD from the Brian Grant Foundation. If you would like to try a massage with Patricia, you may contact her at proedgesmt@gmail.com ot 513-290-1859.
Jacqueline Washnock is a massage therapist in Indiana who can be reached at great2bkneaded@gmail.com. She sees a lot of anxiety in Parkinson’s clients, so along with the massage, she uses various relaxation techniques including craniosacral therapy, essential oils and integrated energy therapy. Jacqueline has been a massage therapist since 2007.
Another massage therapist in our area who works with Parkinson’s clients is Micah Ashworth. He can be reached at ashworthmassageandbodywork@gmail.com or 513-909-9820.
You can find a licensed massage therapist in your area through the American Massage Therapy Association.
References
Louise Evans, The Benefits of Specialized Massage Therapy for Parkinson’s (November 1, 2018)
Linda MacDougall, The Big Benefits of Massage for Parkinson’s (January 31, 2022) (parkinsonsresources.org)
Nicole Cutler, The Benefits of Massage Therapy on Parkinson’s Disease (March 21, 2018) (integrativehealthcare.org)
Yolabda Casciaro, Massage Therapy Treatment and Outcomes for a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Report (March 2016) (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)