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EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association
EPDA - European Parkinsons Disease Association
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What are complementary therapies?

Complementary therapies are non-conventional health treatments, often based on ancient systems, which many people use alongside standard Western medicine.  The range of such therapies is wide, with the majority taking a holistic approach: that is, treating the patient as a whole, rather than just addressing the symptoms.  It is this approach which makes complementary therapies so appealing, particularly to people with Parkinson’s.


How do I tell if it’s working?

Be sure that you know how you hope to benefit from the treatment and ask your therapist for a treatment plan and cost estimates. Your practitioner will also explain what signs of progress to look out for. You can then monitor progress and decide if it is having any beneficial effects.

Whilst you shouldn’t continue with treatments indefinitely, waiting for something to happen, it may take time for any noticeable improvements to be seen. As such, you will need to weigh the benefits against the time and money spent. But remember, if one therapy does not work, another might, so it might be worth trying a few to see if you can find something that works for you personally.


Did you know?

According to Jacqueline Young - a practitioner, BBC contributor, and researcher specialising in complementary medicine - one in three people in the UK has tried at least one form of complementary therapy, and one in ten family doctors is actively involved in complementary medicine.

Warning!

Complementary therapies should always be used in addition to conventional medicine not instead of it. If you are thinking of trying complementary therapies, discuss this further with your doctor or Parkinson’s nurse specialist first as some treatments may not be suitable for you. Your doctor may be able to provide you with details of local practitioners with experience of working with Parkinson's.
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