Retired NBA Power Forward Brian Grant built a successful career in major league basketball with five teams; the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. Drafted in the first round, as the eighth overall pick, he was a stellar athlete who was incredibly respected by his teammates and made significant contributions to each of his teams and the communities that he played in. Then, at the age of 36, Brian was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. No stranger to charitable works – he has been instrumental in raising money for seriously and terminally ill children throughout the years – Brian rechanneled his energy into empowering those who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease and has made it the mission of the Brian Grant Foundation to help others live the most active and fulfilling lives possible.
Parkinson’s Disease is a condition that affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine and control body movements. Though typically affecting older people, it can occur in younger patients as well, as in the case of Brian Grant. At first, symptoms can be very mild, sometimes patients hardly notice them at all, perhaps a feeling of weakness or stiffness in a limb or trembling when at rest. As the symptoms progress, the shaking worsens and spreads, muscles become stiffer, movement slows and balance and coordination become impaired. In later stages of the disease, depression, cognitive problems and emotional problems can arise.
Due to the nature of the disease, diagnosis can be difficult. Some symptoms present themselves as common to things like the natural process of aging or other conditions. In fact, it has been estimated that as many as 40% of people living with Parkinson’s may not ever be diagnosed, while another 25% may be misdiagnosed.
As with many conditions, the first or most traditional course of treatment usually lies in drug therapies. Unfortunately, drug therapies carry with them their own unique set of problems including side effects that range from the mild to debilitating. Many Parkinson’s patients are searching for better ways to treat the conditions of the disease without having to rely on pills or even more invasive techniques. More and more, patients are turning to Chiropractic Neurology as a fast-acting and effective way to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As balance and movement are severely affected by the disease, Chiropractic Neurology is especially effective when it comes to helping improve both balance and movement.
Focused on restoring ultimate health to the entire body through the brain and nervous system, and backed by the latest research, Chiropractic Neurology uses in-office testing to uncover the functional or cognitive impairments of the patient and then develop an individualized care plan to address each patient’s specific needs. By continually monitoring patients’ progress, your doctor can adjust treatment as necessary, helping the brain to restore impaired function through targeted areas of the brain, maximizing the quality of life for patients living with Parkinson’s disease.
As more and more research is done, and Parkinson’s awareness increases through the efforts of people like Brian Grant, we are learning new information about how to help patients. Chiropractic Neurology remains at the forefront of the scientific and research communities, bringing new information and the best care techniques to our patients.
If you or someone you know are suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s disease and would like to learn more about what Chiropractic Neurology can do to help, please contact Dr Marc Ellis at the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today for your consultation.