Once a little understood condition, Parkinson’s disease affects more than one million Americans today. With more people joining the fight against the disease and working to further awareness, advances in the management and treatment of Parkinson’s continues to grow. To that end, there is now an officially designated Parkinson’s Awareness month each April. With the backing of the American Parkinson Disease Association, it is hoped that observing this special month will lead to more media coverage and even more support for those affected.
Increasing patient advocacy for conditions like Parkinson’s disease has become a priority for more and more people today. The list of celebrities and well-known people who live with Parkinson’s disease includes former US Attorney General Janet Reno, singer Linda Ronstadt, NBA great Brian Grant, astronaut Michael “Rich” Clifford and the late, great Muhammed Ali to name a few. Each of these beloved public figures have used their fame for positive work in the education and outreach for Parkinson’s disease. Muhammed Ali’s daughter has taken up the charge to continue the fight against Parkinson’s in her father’s name, and was a proud supporter of the 23rd annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk in New York City. The walk is the largest fundraiser for Parkinson’s research in the country.
Perhaps the most well-known celebrity figure living with Parkinson’s disease today is Michael J Fox. Diagnosed 26 years ago, Michael has worked tirelessly to grow and empower those in the Parkinson’s community, bring awareness to the realities of living with the disease and sharing strategies for “surviving adversity.” After going public with his own battle, he became a spokesperson for his community, has participated in encouraging legislative changes to benefit the PD community and launched the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
With a disease that has a wide range of symptoms, understanding the basics is important. Symptoms of the disease typically fall into two categories, those that affect movement (or motor symptoms) and those that do not (non-movement symptoms). While there are common symptoms that may people do experience including tremors, stiff muscles, slow movements and trouble with balance, coordination and walking, symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. How the disease is managed and progresses also varies greatly.
While many people turn to drug therapies as the first line of defense for Parkinson’s disease, there are other, non-pharmaceutical treatments that have shown to be very effective for Parkinson’s patients… and without the side effects that come with the drugs. When considering a treatment plan for a disease like Parkinson’s that affects balance and movement, Chiropractic Neurology is a fast-acting method of treatment that does not merely mask symptoms but rather uses an individualized care plan to treat specific needs. Focused on restoring ultimate health to the entire body through the brain and nervous system, Chiropractic Neurology uses in-office testing to uncover the functional or cognitive impairments of the patient. By continually monitoring patients’ progress, treatments are adjusted 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.
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 the Georgia Chiropractic Neurology Center today for your consultation.