Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects an area of the brain that produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates movement and affects emotional response. As dopamine levels fall, symptoms of Parkinson’s emerge, including tremors, muscle stiffness and rigidity, and problems with gait and movement.

If you have Parkinson’s disease, you’ve probably been told the discouraging facts: It’s progressive, and there is no known cure. But at Whitaker Wellness, we tell patients that there is hope for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Conventional treatment for Parkinson’s disease is aimed at maintaining dopamine levels. The treatment of choice is a drug called l-dopa, which is converted into dopamine, along with another drug to ensure that more l-dopa reaches the brain. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, larger and larger amounts of l-dopa must be taken, and this often causes side effects such as nausea, paranoia, hallucinations, and involuntary jerking movements. In addition, some patients become completely resistant to the drug over time.

Let’s make it clear that the Whitaker Wellness Institute is not offering false hope or miracle cures for patients with Parkinson’s disease. We do, however, utilize several powerful, innovative therapies to reduce symptoms, help slow disease progression, and improve quality of life. After a treatment course, many of our patients exhibit noticeable improvements in gait, tremors, speech, and mood. Because optimal results are obtained with a series of treatments, we encourage patients with Parkinson’s disease to enroll in our one-, two-, or three-week Back to Health Program.