Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system and parts of the body controlled by nerves. It is among the most common age-related degenerative disorders, and unfortunately, at this time, there is no cure upon diagnosis. However, by recognizing the signs of PD early, a treatment protocol can begin sooner, giving us the greatest chance to improve a patient’s quality of life. Learn about the Parkinson’s Disease solutions we offer at Carolina Brain Center. 

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Options

Treatment of Parkinson’s disease is a team effort and should include both a medical neurologist and a functional neurologist. A medical neurologist will support the system with medication. The process of obtaining the right combination of drug therapy can be straightforward or require some tinkering to come up with the right regimen. The goal of drug therapy for Parkinson’s Disease is to give you maximum therapeutic benefit while balancing the side effects. Your medical neurologist will consider disease severity, age, and other medications when considering Parkinson’s Disease therapy. They should also take into account your personal preferences.

A board-certified chiropractic neurologist (aka functional neurologist) works alongside medical drug treatment and focuses on gait and balance training, swallowing and speech training, visual training, and various motor training techniques. A functional neurologist uses receptor-based activation and inhibition through neurologic-specific exercises to improve global central nervous system function. This promotes a higher quality of life, increases motor function, reduces the risk of falls and choking, and maintains intellectual function. 

Parkinson’s Disease Treatment in North Carolina

Carolina Brain Center’s approach to treating Parkinson’s Disease is unique! We recognize that no two brains are the same, not all diagnoses of Parkinson’s are the same, and different treatment protocols may be necessary. We offer functional medicine office visits, chiropractic services, and our specialized Brain Camp. 

Taking a holistic approach to brain care, we encourage our Parkinson’s patients to maintain an active lifestyle and exercise regularly. Researchers believe that not only does exercise help maintain and improve some of the hallmark motor symptoms associated with PD, but it is also important in managing depression in PD. In addition, dietary modifications are an extremely effective part of managing and slowing the progression of the degenerative process and are always a part of Parkinson’s Disease treatment options.

Parkinson’s Disease Solutions: Brain Camp 

We offer a week-long intensive program (Brain Camp) based entirely on the premise of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to make new neuronal connections. This is an important concept in treating diseases that destroy neuronal connections, as seen with Parkinson’s Disease. 

To create neuroplastic changes, neurons require a specific frequency of firing, intensity of activation, and duration of activation. Further, all of this must happen within a neuron’s metabolic capacity. If neuronal activity exceeds a neuron’s metabolic capacity, transneuronal degeneration is the result. This is why the cookie-cutter approach is not only sometimes ineffective, but it also has the potential to do more harm than good.

Brain Camp looks different for every patient we treat because every person is unique. Brain Camp runs from Monday through Friday, beginning at 10:00 am and ending at 2:00 pm. There are two 30-minute breaks to refuel the system and to rest before the next round of treatment. At the conclusion of the week, diagnostics are performed and compared to prior examination results. Throughout the week, our patients marvel at how fast results come. 

Following Brain Camp, the journey is not over. Patients are sent home with exercises to complete at home daily. The home program helps to continue progress and to slow the degenerative process. Hour-long follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress.

Answers about Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease process. The disease results from the malfunction and death of neurons in the brain. Specifically, in PD, the neurons affected are in the substantia nigra (SN) of the basal ganglia (BG). The SN produces dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination.

What are the Signs of Parkinson’s Disease?

Classic signs of PD include shaking, tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, difficulty with walking, and problems with balance. People with PD may begin to show more subtle signs long before an official diagnosis is given. Early symptoms include loss of sense of smell, fatigue, excessive saliva, constipation, visual changes, sleep disturbances, lack of facial expressions (hypomimia), mood disorders (such as depression and anxiety), and orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing up). Dopaminergic medication treatment is helpful.

What is Atypical Parkinson’s Disease?

Atypical Parkinson’s Disease presents many of the same signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, but they do not often respond well to drug therapy. Atypical PD includes Drug-induced Parkinsonism, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Vascular Parkinsonism, and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). 

What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?

Both genetic and environmental factors are attributed to the cause of PD, but the exact cause is unknown. There is presently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatment options include medication therapy, surgery, and several complementary therapies that can help manage symptoms. Appropriate treatment can keep most patients working and enjoying an active life for several years or even decades.

Comprehensive Parkinson’s Disease Treatment at Carolina Brain Center 

If you or someone you know is looking for effective Parkinson’s Disease treatment options in Raleigh, North Carolina, we are here to help! We are ready to help you manage your Parkinson’s with our Brain Camp and chiropractic and functional medicine services. 

Are you ready to slow your Parkinson’s Disease? Contact the Carolina Brain Center today to make an appointment with Dr. Dane!