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Exploring Complementary Therapies and Functional Medicine in Parkinson’s Care 

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Integrative medicine combines evidence-based medicine with proven complementary therapies and functional medicine, treatment that seeks to treat the whole person, to manage Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms. Explore how non-drug treatments — such as massage, acupuncture, red light therapy and CBD — are sometimes used to support well-being alongside traditional Parkinson’s care. 

The following article is based on a Parkinson’s Foundation Expert Briefing exploring complementary therapies and holistic medicine in Parkinson's care, hosted by Britt Stone, MD, assistant clinical professor, Movement Disorders division, Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, and clinical operations director for VUMC’s main campus neurology clinics. 

Bridging Modern Medicine and Complementary Care 

Traditional Western-medicine therapies include care your neurologist might prescribe, whether levodopa or other prescription medications, physical or occupational therapy or psychiatry referrals or a home health aide recommendation. 

Integrative medicine blends medicine with proven complementary therapies to encourage optimal well-being.  

  • Functional medicine falls under the umbrella of integrative medicine; it seeks to identify the root cause of illness and treat the entire person through a personalized care plan.  

  • Complementary therapies are a component of functional medicine — these can include mindfulness, art or dance therapy or other treatments. 

Taking a Deeper Look at Functional Medicine 

Living well with Parkinson’s requires ongoing management — the right medications, dedicated exercise, a balanced diet and the ability to adapt to changing needs. Functional medicine also takes whole-body approach to care, with an emphasis on sustained nutrition, gut health and lifestyle factors. 

At its core, functional medicine incorporates habits, routines and rhythms into daily living that contribute to overall health. From there, specific therapies to target individual needs are integrated into a care plan. These might include tailored exercise, supplements or herbal remedies or other complementary therapies.  

Functional medicine can also include laboratory or diagnostic testing to uncover whether factors such as genetics or environmental exposures, including allergens, are impacting body function. Lab testing, which is not always covered by insurance, could include screening for environmental mold or other toxins in the body or assessments of:  

  • Vitamin and mineral levels 

  • Gut health 

  • Inflammatory markers 

  • Food sensitivities 

To some extent, genetics, environment, previous illnesses, social and behavioral factors influence the health outcomes of every person. Functional medicine considers all these aspects and aims to slow disease progression and optimize quality of life. 

Complementary Therapies 

Parkinson’s can cause various non-movement symptoms — including stiffness, pain, anxiety, sleep and mood changes — and medications might not relieve them all. Non-drug complementary therapies have been moving into mainstream use for Parkinson’s symptom management, particularly for symptoms that don’t respond as well to prescription medications. 

Certain complementary therapies that foster social connections and creativity while promoting purpose and play have been shown to improve quality of life. A 2020 meta-analysis showed that dance improved movement and non-movement symptoms and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s. A 2013 six-week clay art therapy program for Parkinson’s showed a decrease in depression, stress and obsessive-compulsive thinking among participants.  

Some complementary therapies are rooted in Chinese philosophy and medicine and the concept of chi, or qi — the energy or life force that animates a person. Sluggish or deficient chi is thought to cause illness. Mind-body breathwork, such as Tai Chi and qigong, used to improve balance, function and mood in Parkinson’s, aims to improve energy flow. 

Other therapies include: 

Acupuncture: One study showed acupuncture, which also aims to balance energy flow, could possibly relieve musculoskeletal pain in Parkinson’s. Other case reports and clinical studies show that acupuncture may improve activities of daily living for people with Parkinson’s. Dry needling, a physical therapy technique used to ease pain, speed healing and improve movement, also uses small thin needles, but the technique is different and the goal is targeted muscle treatment, rather than improved energy flow. 

Massage: It is used to boost relaxation and ease muscle spasms and cramps. A 2020 review looking at 12 studies of massage therapy and its benefits in Parkinson's found that:  

  • Multiple types of massage induced relaxation. 

  • Participants reported improvements in mood, fatigue, sleep and pain.  

  • Some research shows neuromuscular types of massage, including shiatsu, tuina and Thai neuromuscular massage, might improve motor symptoms.   

A 2020 review of 12 massage therapy studies and its benefit on Parkinson's symptoms, found that:  

  • Multiple types of massage induced relaxation  

  • Participants reported improvements in mood, fatigue, sleep and pain.  

  • Some research shows neuromuscular types of massage, including shiatsu, tuina and Thai neuromuscular massage, might improve movement symptoms.   

Red-light therapy: Emerging research shows low-level red-light therapy, also called photobiomodulation, may hold neuroprotective potential for Parkinson’s. However, more studies are needed. The potential health benefits of red-light therapy were discovered by NASA scientists who, when experimenting with light-emitting diodes to boost plant growth, noticed the lights also sped up wound healing.  

Red-light therapy is currently used as part of photodynamic therapy in dermatology to treat certain types of skin cancer (the red light activates a photosensitizing drug). It is also used to treat psoriasis and acne. Red-light therapy is thought to work by stimulating the mitochondria in the cells being treated, leading to more efficient cellular activity and new cell growth. It is important to protect the eyes when using any sort of red-light therapy. 

Cannabidiol (CBD): This compound is found in hemp and marijuana cannabis plants and interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system. CB1 and CB2 receptors, key components of this system, are involved in communication between brain cells and gut and immune system health. 

There are higher concentrations in marijuana of THC, the compound that gets people high. Hemp is typically rich in CBD, a compound that may be helpful for sleep, anxiety or pain, though more research is needed. Epidiolex is a prescription form of CBD, approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat certain types of seizures.  

Medical and recreational marijuana legalization varies by state. There can be safety considerations, depending on your symptoms or medications you may be taking.  

Working Complementary Therapy into Your Routine  

Creating a personalized, balanced plan to manage Parkinson’s can help you maintain independence. Complementary therapies, therapeutic touch, a practitioner who listens to you, downtime and mindfulness can all benefit quality of life and improve sense of wellness.  

When deciding what therapies might benefit you, think about your goals and what symptoms bother you the most. Have an open conversation with your healthcare team and discuss what treatment options are available. Talking about potential therapies with your doctor can help you avoid potential interactions and ensure the best outcomes. Connecting online or in person with people in the Parkinson’s community can also give you an opportunity to talk about what has worked for others and share your own experiences.   

Consider therapies that align with your needs that are also accessible, affordable and manageable. Add in one new thing, observe the effects or benefits and adjust or change plans, with input from your healthcare team, as needed. 

Learn More  

Explore our resources about complementary therapies and symptom management in Parkinson’s:   

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