Every year, Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) dedicates the month of April to raising awareness of the unique experiences of people with Parkinson’s, and the needs of our community. Parkinson’s Awareness Month is an opportunity to engage the public in expanding their understanding of Parkinson’s, and the profound effects it has on the lives of over 15,000 British Columbians living with the disease.

This April, we want to spread the message that Parkinson’s is more than a tremor. The disease can affect all aspects of one’s life, and there is currently no known cure.

While most people have heard of Parkinson’s disease, the breadth of symptoms experienced, and ripple effect the disease has on friends, family, and the healthcare system, are lesser understood. With approximately 15,000 people affected by the condition, Parkinson’s is the second most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s – yet it receives considerably less attention. [Parkinson Society BC]

According to a 2002 study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, along with staff from the university’s neurology department and Duke University’s pharmacology department, Parkinson’s disease symptoms are reduced by massage therapy. In this study, the group of adults with Parkinson’s disease who received two massages a week for five weeks experienced improved daily functioning, increased quality of sleep and decreased stress-hormone levels.

Massage therapy has been proven to improve a patient’s day-to-day activities, sleeping habits, walking, stress, and more. Rigidity, stiffness, fatigue, and other symptoms have also been proven to get relief from this treatment. If these symptoms aren’t addressed, depression, poor self-esteem, and isolation can set in or get worse.