Tengo aproximadamente 8 años trabajando en la comunidad de Chicago y suburbios ofreciendo clases y recursos de salud en la comunidad de la 3ra edad latina.
Mi experiencia laboral me ha llevado a educar, ayudar y convivir con personas de la tercera edad y a romper las barreras del idioma, entre otros determinantes sociales en la salud.
Trabajé en una agencia que ayudaba en la lucha contra el Alzheimer y así es como conocí la Parkinson’s Foundation ya que, al ser tipos de demencia, están relacionadas con las funciones del cerebro que afectan a personas de la tercera edad.
Actualmente, estoy tomando entrenamientos sobre el Parkinson y llevando los recursos a las comunidades latinas y de bajos recursos para romper estigmas de la enfermedad y dando a conocer los avances de la lucha contra el Parkinson.
He podido conocer y convivir con personas que actualmente tienen Parkinson, así como con sus cuidadores y familiares. Me alegra poder ayudarlos con los recursos que ofrece la Fundación. Es importante que sepan que no están solos; que sepan que en la Parkinson’s Foundation hay muchas personas trabajando para lograr tener una cura en un futuro.
Recientemente, pude participar en la elaboración de un anuncio de servicio a la comunidad para la Fundación que se hizo en español e inglés. Para mí, fue emocionante saber que estaba en español porque la información llegará a la comunidad hispanohablante en nuestro idioma.
¡La importancia de este comercial es para que sepan que no están solos y que pueden acercarse a la Fundación y encontrar muchos recursos en español!
¡Espero que puedan compartir con las personas para que sepa que la Parkinson Foundation es una comunidad que los puede ayudar y guiar!
Yo seguiré educándome y llevando los recursos en eventos de salud, presentaciones y participando en la carrera de la Parkinson’s Foundation donde espero conocerlos y platicar.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 2019 after my wife noticed a tremor in my left hand. Like many people, I left that initial doctor appointment with more questions than answers. For a period of time, I focused on following medical advice, maintaining my routine and not projecting too far into the future. I believed I was managing Parkinson’s, but in reality, I was largely reacting to it.
Over time, it became clear that a passive approach wasn’t neutral — it had consequences. I noticed gradual changes and realized that waiting for Parkinson’s to dictate next steps limited my options. That marked a shift in how I approached the disease. I decided to take a more active role, both in managing my own health and in contributing to broader efforts aimed at improving outcomes for people with Parkinson’s.
One of my first focus areas was exercise. As I began educating myself, the Parkinson’s Foundation resources on movement were critical. Their recommendation to incorporate four types of exercise — aerobicactivity,strengthtraining,balanceandagilitywork,andflexibility — gave me a clear, practical framework. It became the foundation of my exercise plan. I used it to structure my weekly training, build variety into my workouts and ensure I was addressing multiple aspects of movement.
From that base, I began setting goals and layering in events as a way to stay consistent and accountable.
Over the past few years, that approach led me to complete seven triathlons, eleven Spartan obstacle course races and three races up the Empire State Building stairs. These events weren’t about competition. They provided structure, measurable milestones and a reason to remain engaged over the long term. Training for events helped translate an abstract recommendation (exerciseisimportant) into a concrete, sustainable practice.
With each event, I gained confidence — not only in my physical capacity, but in my ability to influence my own trajectory. That confidence began to shape how I approached other aspects of living with Parkinson’s.
I took a broader focus on wellness. Again, Parkinson’s Foundation information played an important role, particularly around nutrition, sleep, stress management and overall lifestyle balance. None of these elements are cures, but together they help tilt the playing field in my favor. I became more intentional about what I eat, how I recover, how I manage stress and how consistently I support my body and brain. The goal wasn’t perfection; it was building habits that support resilience over time.
Advocacy followed. I became involved in efforts supporting the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, meeting with the staff of seven U.S. Senators. Three ultimately committed to supporting the legislation. That experience demonstrated how individual stories, shared clearly and persistently, can influence policy. It also reinforced my belief that advocacy isn’t limited to professionals — it’s accessible to anyone willing to engage.
At the same time, I became increasingly involved in Parkinson’s research. What began as curiosity developed into active participation. I enrolled in studies, learned directly from researchers and gained insight into how essential patient involvement is to scientific progress. Research provided clarity and purpose, and it led me to become both a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador and a Research Advocate — roles that enable me to help ensure patient perspectives are reflected in the work shaping future treatments.
Looking back, I realized I hadn’t just been responding to Parkinson’s. I had been building a framework for how to live well with it.
Once that became clear, I felt a responsibility to share what I had learned. It all led me to write a book, LivingParkinson’s, and to create livingparkinsons.comas a place to organize information, resources and lessons learned along the way. My goal was to document practical strategies — grounded in lived experience and supported by science — that together form the core of an actionable plan anyone can adapt. Rather than offering prescriptions or guarantees, the focus is on helping people take ownership of their disease and actively fight back in ways that fit their own circumstances.
This journey I’m on has been about agency. Parkinson’s changes life, but it doesn’t eliminate the ability to influence outcomes. Whether it’s exercise, wellness, education, advocacy or research participation, each step builds momentum.
Parkinson’s has altered my story, but it hasn’t determined its direction. My journey isn’t defined by a diagnosis — it’s defined by how I’ve chosen to respond. If sharing that perspective can help someone else take a more active role in their own journey, then the effort has been well worth it.
Help champion policy changes that make life better for people with Parkinson's. Get involved today.
For years, I lived with a secret. When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), there is this common, almost overwhelming urge to hide it. Whether it’s the fear of not being accepted or the dread of people looking at you with pity, many of us fight to act “normal.” Trying to mask a diagnosis that has become a huge part of your life is exhausting. It’s hard to be your authentic self when you’re hiding.
I was diagnosed at age 51 in February 2021, right in the heart of the pandemic. At the time, I was working full-time as an educator, leading others through the trials of remote and in-person school. The diagnosis felt like a gut punch during an already impossible season. I kept my diagnosis a secret for over a year — I didn’t even tell my family. I had back surgery during the same time to relieve sciatica, which also caused me to have difficulty walking. This made it easier to hide my symptoms as the sciatic pain masked my rigidity.
Coming out of the pandemic and back into reality, the strain of hiding continued. Eventually, I began to let people in and felt a burden lift. I discovered that people are often far more supportive and less judgmental than I thought. Although I don’t tell everyone I meet that I have PD, I’m becoming more open about my journey, hoping that by sharing my story, I can help someone else live their authentic life a little easier.
Adapting and Moving
While Parkinson’s has affected my left side and made handwriting difficult, I haven't let it stop my voice. I’ve discovered that speech-to-text is a game-changer. It’s more efficient than my old way of writing, allowing my thoughts to flow quickly and freely.
I’ve also learned that movement is medicine. My mobility can feel constrained, so working out is a non-negotiable part of my day. If I skip a workout, I feel the difference. The breakthrough for me was finding a specific Parkinson’s exercise group. Not only has it greatly enhanced my physical ability to function, but it has provided me with a network of "warriors" who are on this same path.
Look for Scott in our new PSA aiming to help people find real answers to their Parkinson’s questions.
What keeps me happy and hopeful? Connection. Spending time with family and friends is the best way to stay healthy, but connecting with my "PD tribe" is critical. There is a deep, unspoken understanding that exists between us. Attending the 2025 Moving Day Chicago was an uplifting experience — seeing so many people thriving and living well was the best kind of fuel for my spirit.
When I got a call to participate in the new Parkinson's Foundation PSA, I realized this was a chance to connect with even more people in the PD Tribe and help make others feel less alone.
My Advice: Find Your People
If you are new to this diagnosis, my biggest piece of advice is this: Find your people. Whether it’s an illness or any other life challenge, finding your tribe is essential. The bond you’ll form with those who truly understand your journey will give you a strength you didn't know you had.
Five years into this journey, I’ve learned that staying active — physically, mentally, socially and spiritually — makes all the difference. Don’t hide; reach out. There is so much life to live!
In 2020, during the pandemic, my family and I were spending more time together at home, and one night we watched the movie Awakenings. I was deeply moved by the story, the patients’ struggles and the compassion shown by the doctors. I asked my dad about it, and he explained that the condition shown in the film was Parkinson’s disease (PD).
My dad is a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders, so during that time, as he worked from home, I learned more about this work. I was newly aware of how his patients fought every day against this disease, and how much it affected not only them but their families too. Learning that there was no cure broke my heart, but my dad also told me about the Parkinson’s Foundation and the incredible work they do to bring education, research and hope to those affected by PD.
I was only 10 years old, but I wanted to help. Since I loved music, I decided to create a Facebook fundraiser and perform piano pieces to inspire donations for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Then I thought, why not invite others to join? Soon, friends, family and even professional artists became part of it. That’s how Parkin-SONG was born. To my surprise, our first event in 2020 even featured Gloria Estefan and was mentioned in the local news!
In 2025, I brought Parkin-SONG back, bigger and stronger, through my nonprofit NeuroEduCares, a youth-led organization I founded to promote understanding, compassion and education about neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
With an incredible team of young leaders, we organized Parkin-SONG II as both a global virtual concert and a live event at American Heritage School (Palm Beach Campus). The campus came alive with music, karaoke, live performances and even a student dodgeball tournament, creating a day full of unity and purpose. It’s been amazing to see how something that started as one small online idea became a global and school-wide celebration of hope.
I’m proud to support the Parkinson’s Foundation as a Parkinson’s Champion through Parkin-SONG. To me, being a Parkinson’s Champion means taking action to help others. It means using my voice, my music and my efforts to bring comfort, hope and awareness to the Parkinson’s community.
It’s an incredible feeling to know that something that began from the heart can grow and truly make a difference, supporting the Foundation’s mission and giving strength to people with PD and families who face this disease every day.
The Parkinson’s Foundation brings hope where it’s most needed. The Foundation dedicates time, research and resources to improving the lives of people and families affected by this disease. Supporting the Foundation means helping fund education, care programs and research that could one day lead to a cure.
Through my experience as a Parkinson’s Champion, I’ve learned any idea, big or small, can have a large impact. You don’t need to be an adult or an expert to make an impact; you just need passion and a willingness to act. If you truly believe in your cause and put your heart into it, people will join you.
For more information on becoming a Parkinson’s Champion and creating your own fundraiser to support the Parkinson’s Foundation, visit Parkinson.org/DIY.
5 pasos que pueden ayudarle a procesar un diagnóstico de Parkinson
🧠 ¿Qué aprenderá en este artículo?
Este artículo destaca los 5 pasos que se pueden seguir para ayudarle a usted o a un ser querido a procesar un reciente diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Habla acerca de:
Equiparse con recursos e información actualizados para crear objetivos personalizados.
La importancia de encontrar atención especializada y crear su red de la EP.
Formas de mantenerse sano física y mentalmente.
Recursos principales para las personas a las que se les acaba de diagnosticar la EP.
Nada puede prepararlo para escuchar las palabras "tiene Parkinson". Desde la confusión hasta el alivio, lo que sienta después de que lo hayan diagnosticado a usted o a un ser querido es completamente natural.
En este artículo, describimos cinco pasos que le ayudarán a procesar un nuevo diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), incluyendo Historias de la EP de personas que cuentan su propio encuentro con la noticia que les cambió la vida.
1. Determine sus objetivos
Planificar cuando hay un nuevo diagnóstico médico puede resultar abrumador si no se sabe dónde encontrar recursos y apoyo. Esto es especialmente cierto si antes no estaba familiarizado con el Parkinson y sus opciones de atención. Armarse de información actualizada puede ayudarle a establecer objetivos a corto y largo plazo para navegar en su recorrido por la EP.
"Cuando me diagnosticaron Parkinson... mi respuesta fue hacer un curso intensivo para aprender todo lo que pudiera acerca de esta enfermedad 'progresiva' y ver qué medidas podía tomar.
Mi objetivo es ser lo más activo posible física y mentalmente. El diagnóstico también me ha hecho reflexionar más acerca de la vida. Aunque no estoy seguro de lo que me espera en el futuro, agradezco haber encontrado un ‘poder a través de la debilidad’. Gracias a esta experiencia, tengo una nueva perspectiva y esperanza en el futuro".
Armado con la información sobre la EP, estará listo para crear hábitos saludables basados en lo que tiene más significado para usted. Lea más acerca de cómo fijarse objetivos específicos y realistas mediante la dieta y la nutrición e inspírese con nuestros videos de fitness adaptados a la EP que presentan un entrenamiento en casa diferente cada mes, incluyendo ejercicios de equilibrio y coordinación para alcanzar sus objetivos de condición física.
2. Busque un experto
Buscar el asesoramiento de un experto en la EP a la hora de procesar un nuevo diagnóstico tiene muchas ventajas. Recomendamos recibir atención de un especialista en trastornos del movimiento o de un neurólogo que haya completado una formación en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson. Sin embargo, tal vez no encuentre estos especialistas, dependiendo de dónde viva.
"El neurólogo me explicó que el Parkinson es un diagnóstico clínico y que yo tenía varios de los síntomas motores (temblor, bradicinesia y rigidez muscular). El neurólogo también me mandó hacer algunas pruebas diagnósticas incluyendo análisis de sangre, una resonancia magnética cerebral y un DaT scan.
Unos meses más tarde, busqué una segunda opinión sobre mi diagnóstico y vi a un especialista en trastornos del movimiento en el Rush University Medical Center, un Centro de Excelencia de la Parkinson's Foundation. Se confirmó: efectivamente, tenía Parkinson".
Encontrar un especialista no tiene por qué ser una tarea desalentadora. Estas son algunas de las maneras en las que puede encontrar a un especialista en la EP:
Pida una recomendación a su médico de atención primaria
Póngase en contacto con su compañía de seguros para obtener una lista de neurólogos o especialistas en trastornos del movimiento de su red
Pida recomendaciones a otras personas que viven con Parkinson
3. Encuentre a alguien con quien hablar y crear su red de apoyo
Puede ser difícil hablar del Parkinson. Expresar sus sentimientos e inquietudes es un paso importante para procesar un diagnóstico de la EP. Además, hablar con un trabajador social tiene muchas ventajas para ayudar a aliviar su ansiedad y crear un plan.
"Con la ayuda de mi trabajadora social, superé la incertidumbre creando planes a corto y largo plazo para mi nueva vida con Parkinson. Me puso en contacto con recursos relevantes para mi estilo de vida y mis síntomas y me animó a prepararme para lo peor pero esperar lo mejor. Para mí, seguiré haciendo todo lo que quiero hacer de la forma que quiero hacerlo, hasta que el Parkinson me quite esa capacidad".
Recomendamos unirse a PD Conversations, un lugar donde hacer preguntas, conectar con otras personas que viven con Parkinson y formar parte de una red de apoyo. Es una gran solución para quienes aún no están listos para compartir públicamente su diagnóstico. También puede seguirnos en redes sociales para mantenerse conectado.
4. Cree hábitos saludables
A medida que procese el diagnóstico, puede ser útil fijarse objetivos personales para mantenerse sano mental y físicamente. Conozca a Frank a continuación y aprenda de su experiencia personal en la creación de hábitos saludables tras un diagnóstico de la EP de inicio temprano.
"Un momento crucial fue cuando me puse en contacto con un especialista en trastornos del movimiento. Esta colaboración cambió mi percepción de cómo manejar el Parkinson. Juntos, creamos un enfoque holístico para enfrentar mis síntomas, estableciendo un plan que giraba en torno al ejercicio, la dieta y el manejo del estrés. Conectamos de una manera profunda que cambió mi perspectiva y me ayudó a aprender nuevas técnicas para afrontar la EP.
Impulsado por la positividad y la visualización, imaginé una vida libre de obstáculos para la movilidad, impulsándome hacia una mayor actividad y menos miedo. Este recorrido de abrazar el Parkinson se convirtió en una lección para entender mi cuerpo y sus señales".
Para aprender más acerca de cómo crear hábitos saludables, explore nuestros webinars en los que participan expertos en la EP, cuyo objetivo es educar y responder a sus preguntas más apremiantes.
5. Manténgase activo
Vivir bien con la EP es posible. Un diagnóstico y recibir una atención adaptada a la EP pueden ayudarle a sentirse motivado y listo para aprender a vivir con la EP a su manera. Ya sea que esté listo para establecer una nueva rutina de ejercicios, priorizar la nutrición o involucrarse como voluntario o promotor de la investigación, podemos ayudarle a empezar.
"Soy entrenadora de fuerza y bienestar desde hace más de 40 años. A medida que mi capacidad para hacer deporte empezó a disminuir, me pareció gratificante dedicar más esfuerzo a entrenar a mis atletas. Ya han pasado un par de años y estoy disfrutando de verdad poniendo mi esfuerzo en entrenar a clientes.
La Parkinson’s Foundation me ha ayudado con recursos e información, webinars, artículos de blog y podcasts. El material y la información han sido invaluables. Mi consejo y mi recomendación para cualquier persona con la EP es que no se rinda y siga adelante.”
Encuentre su comunidad de Parkinson y clases locales de bienestar y ejercicio adaptadas a la EP visitando el sitio web de su Chapter de la Parkinson’s Foundation más cercano. Ayude a generar más conciencia mediante actividades como eventos de Moving Day, nuestra experiencia de ciclismo interior Parkinson’s Revolution y programas locales para ayudar a garantizar que las personas con Parkinson, sus familias y sus aliados en el cuidado vivan lo mejor posible.
¿Listo para participar? ¡Aprenda acerca del voluntariado con la Parkinson's Foundation o ayude a impulsar la investigación acerca del Parkinson al inscribirse en nuestro estudio PD GENEration!
Recursos principales para recién diagnosticados
Explore estas herramientas diseñadas para cualquier persona a la que se le haya diagnosticado Parkinson recientemente:
Línea de Ayuda: llame al 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636), opción 3 para español o escriba a Helpline@Parkinson.org para obtener respuestas a sus preguntas acerca de la EP y referencias de especialistas y clases locales para la EP.
Encuentre recursos en su zona: encuentre un especialista en la EP y recursos cerca de usted, así como el Chapter más cercano.
Mientras aprende a vivir con el Parkinson, estamos para ayudar y empoderarlo en cada etapa. Cuando esté listo, explore nuestra Guía para recién diagnosticados.
If I were to summarize living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) today it would read something like the following LinkedIn profile:
Parkinson’s scholar-advocate bridging research, public education, and creative practice — publishing peer-reviewed work, convening expert speakers, presenter at domestic and international conferences, and facilitator of poetry and intentional writing for people living with Parkinson’s.
It took a few years to get to the point where I could write a summary of a productive life living with Parkinson’s. Like most people, I met my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease with disbelief and fear. Disbelief of how this could be happening to me during the height of my career and fear of what the future held.
After my initial diagnosis in 2013, I sought second opinion(s). A primary care physician and a highly esteemed EMG specialist (someone who performs and interprets Electromyography (EMG) tests) assured me I did not have Parkinson’s. The EMG specialist, in particular, went to great lengths to argue that it was common for patients who wore a boot for three months or more after extensive foot surgery (which I had in October 2011) to develop a spasm in their maximus gluteus muscle of the affected leg.
A sports medicine doctor prescribed propranolol which calmed the tremor tremendously. Generally speaking, I lived my life as I always had, busy with my career, friends and traveling with my teenage children. Parkinson’s impacted my life but in a limited fashion.
In 2015, I decided it was time to settle the score and so I made an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Meeting with the neurologist was another one of those moments where the truth hits one right in the gut and there was no getting around it. Mayo confirmed that I indeed had idiopathic Parkinson’s.
Over time and with extensive research, I felt that idiopathic was not an appropriate descriptor for my brand of Parkinson’s. It did not take a lot of researching to arrive at likely causes of my disease. Varied and occurring over at least three decades, the cause of my Parkinson’s, in my opinion, includes severe head trauma from being accidentally hit in the head at the age of 17 with a golf club as a friend engaged in practice swings, a serious car accident that caused a concussion, one face plant into a concrete patio at a restaurant resulting from a damaged threshold that caught my heel, to nine years exposure to various forms of mold concealed in homes that I had purchased to high levels of chemicals in an apartment I lived in for a short period of time while building a house.
It was not until October 2023 that I met a physician that took the time to understand the mechanics of my illness. Alberto Espay, MD, at the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders, at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. I learned more about my brand of Parkinson’s in one afternoon with Dr. Espay then I had over the 10 preceding years with a variety of neurologists.
Today, I could write a book on the people I have met in my travels, our discussions about many different topics, and their kind and subtle offers of help in many different ways. New York is one of the kindest cities on this planet. There’s always someone ready in a moment’s notice offering to help. Sometimes I ask but typically most beat me to it. Such help as assisting me across the street during times of high traffic or one of my personal favorites, coming to a dead halt at a threshold at either an entrance door or elevator door.
My Parkinson’s seems to have a mind of its own. For example, during the time when I am receiving help (and that is typically when I have forgotten to take my medicine on time or I am in large crowds) I may move with great deal difficulty, unless I’m holding onto the assisting person’s left arm. Just the other day at the mall a woman was helping me over a threshold. She extended her right arm, and I barely moved. I explained to her how I do much better if I am on someone’s left side. As soon as she changed sides, I took off. She laughed and said, you weren’t kidding.
Freezing of gait is the temporary, involuntary inability to move. It can be a common symptom of Parkinson's. Learn more.
I play the piano and write poetry as a means of expressing moving experiences and challenges. I find it’s both a great outlet and refuge (my poems can be found on my website, Poetry for Today). I also find helping others is a valuable way to bring meaning to my life. This in fact explains my role as an advocate.
After 13 years with Parkinson’s disease, I describe myself as deliberate and purpose driven. On the one hand, Parkinson’s has reduced opportunities, but on the other hand, it has presented new and perhaps even richer opportunities than I could have ever imagined – such as co-authoring an article with a neurologist in Perth, Australia, and a psychiatrist in Leicester, UK. Youwill never find a more caring or giving group of people than those living with Parkinson’s.
My Parkinson’s experience led me to participate in the Parkinson’s Foundation PD GENEration genetics study, where I simply provided a sample and waited several months for a result. I was happy to be part of the study. Not only was it my first time participating in a PD research study, but I am now more likely to find and participate in PD studies in the future.
Each day I live with awareness of my disease as it pertains to my body, energy level and mood. Parkinson’s has required adjustments, patience and self-advocacy but it has not diminished my intellect, curiosity, creativity or leadership. If anything, I feel sharper than I have in the last 15 years.
In summary, continuity of purpose and intentionality as to where I want to place my energy and engage on a daily basis is what motivates me. Adaptation and resolve on those days where I have neither slept the hours I would’ve liked to have nor exercised in the manner to which I am accustomed is critical.
Overall, I do my best to maintain a can-do attitude and perspective and acknowledge that while Parkinson’s does not define me, it drives my commitment to raise awareness and promote collaborative research and personalized medicine for better individualized treatments and eventually cures.
After all, there is not one Parkinson’s, and there is not one cure.
The Parkinson’s Foundation is here to help empower you throughout your Parkinson’s experience. Explore our resources and support and find what works for you.
Dan Rothschild is a Fairport, NY, resident along with being a Parkinson’s Foundation New York Chapter Board member, a Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassador and a Research Advocate. He has found his passion for ping pong improves his Parkinson’s symptoms and enables him to travel and share his game and PD experiences with amazing and inspiring people. Check out his story “How Parkinson’s and ping pong help me to see the world” below:
Six years ago, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), I never contemplated that the diagnosis would result in opportunities to see the world. Nevertheless, in one of my life’s great ironies, my diagnosis has resulted in travels to far flung and interesting destinations and encounters with inspiring and wonderful people, all because of the disease and a love for one of America’s least followed sports: ping pong.
Like many Americans I played ping pong as a kid, in the basements of friends’ houses, at camp, and in dorms. Most of my “training” occurred in the 1970s during my sophomore year at the University of Rochester.
Adjacent to the laundry room located in one of the dorms was a single ping pong table. My roommate, Steve, and I, would carry our laundry to the dorm, strip to our skivvies, and play for hours while the machines did their work. The larger the loads the longer we played and, despite both of us being hackers without formal coaching, we developed some pretty good ping pong skills in the process.
Fast forward to 2020 and my PD diagnosis. After absorbing the somewhat earth-shattering news, I asked my doctor how I could best help myself deal with the disease. His answer was exercise.
So, I set about filling my exercise dance card with activities that I had always enjoyed and was already engaged in such as tennis, paddle tennis, cycling, hiking, cross-country skiing and ping pong.
Why ping pong? Ping pong is a "whole-brain activity" that not only engages motor activity (e.g., agility, balance, stamina, hand-eye coordination) but also requires the brain to engage in motor planning, visual attention, visuospatial processing, strategy formation, and executive functioning.
The game also fosters social connections among players. PingPongParkinson® (PPP), founded by Nenad Bach, helps promote ping pong as a PD therapy, and now operates more than 400 chapters in 31 countries. PPP also holds an annual World Championship, six of which have been held to date.
Together with my wife, I was fortunate to attend the two most recent World Championships, in Lasko, Slovenia in 2024 and Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy in 2025. The 2025 tournament hosted approximately 1,700 matches between more than 300 players. While play was vigorous and often intense as even players with PD want to win, players socialized and bonded with others from 26 countries, supported and encouraged one another, and were inspired and awed by one another’s abilities, heart and perseverance. Each player gained new partners to support them on their PD journey.
The magic of the World Championship experience was perhaps best expressed by Steve Welling, a participant in the 2019 and first PPP World Championship held in Westchester County, who wrote: “The ping-pong center was a place where persons with even highly visible symptoms were not judged; where persons with hidden, secret pain were finally understood; where we conversed openly, without shame, about our conditions. But mostly, where we were free to follow two of the simplest human instincts: to make new friends and play with them.”
Steve’s sentiments were embodied in each of the World Championships that I attended, and I also experience them weekly at my local PPP chapter sessions. Together with the physical, cognitive and social benefits of the game, they motivate my play and my desire to attend future World Championships, as long as health and resources permit.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my PD journey would include smacking a little white ball all over the world with wonderful and inspiring people!
Dan is a co-founder of the Rochester (Fairport), NY chapter of PingPongParkinson®. For more information visit www.pingpongparkinson.org. Players with PD at all skill levels are welcome. The Parkinson’s Foundation is a past sponsor of PingPongParkinson® through its Community Grants program.
Exploring Complementary Therapies and Functional Medicine in Parkinson’s Care
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:
Explorando las terapias complementarias y la medicina funcional en el cuidado del Parkinson
La medicina integrativa combina la medicina basada en la evidencia con terapias complementarias de eficacia comprobada y la medicina funcional; tratamiento que pretende atender a la persona en su totalidad, para controlar los síntomas de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Explore cómo los tratamientos no farmacológicos, como los masajes, la acupuntura, la terapia con luz roja y el CBD, se utilizan a veces para favorecer el bienestar junto con los cuidados tradicionales del Parkinson.
El siguiente artículo se basa en una de las Charlas con Expertos - Expert Briefings de la Parkinson's Foundation, que explora las terapias complementarias y la medicina holística en el cuidado del Parkinson, presentada por la Dra. Britt Stone, profesora clínica adjunta, división de Trastornos del Movimiento, Departamento de Neurología en el Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC, por sus siglas en inglés), un Centro de Excelencia de la Parkinson's Foundation y directora de operaciones clínicas para las clínicas de neurología del campus principal de VUMC.
Un puente entre la medicina moderna y los cuidados complementarios
Las terapias tradicionales de medicina occidental incluyen los cuidados que pueda recetar su neurólogo, ya sea levodopa u otros medicamentos recetados, fisioterapia o terapia ocupacional o psiquiatría o la recomendación de un asistente de salud a domicilio.
La medicina integrativa combina la medicina con terapias complementarias de eficacia probada para fomentar un bienestar óptimo.
La medicina funcional se engloba dentro de la medicina integrativa; busca identificar la causa raíz de la enfermedad y tratar a la persona en su totalidad mediante un plan de atención personalizado.
Las terapias complementarias son un elemento de la medicina funcional: pueden incluir atención plena (mindfulness), terapia artística o de danza u otros tratamientos.
Una mirada más profunda a la medicina funcional
Vivir bien con Parkinson requiere un manejo continuo: los medicamentos adecuados, ejercicio estructurado, una dieta equilibrada y la capacidad de adaptarse a las necesidades cambiantes. La medicina funcional también adopta un enfoque integral de la atención, haciendo hincapié en factores constantes de nutrición, salud intestinal y estilo de vida.
En esencia, la medicina funcional incorpora a la vida diaria hábitos, rutinas y ritmos que contribuyen a la salud general. A partir de ahí, las terapias específicas para atender las necesidades individuales se integran en un plan de cuidados. Éstos pueden incluir ejercicios adaptados, suplementos, hierbas medicinales u otras terapias complementarias.
La medicina funcional también puede incluir pruebas de laboratorio o diagnósticas para descubrir si factores como la genética o la exposición ambiental, incluidos los alérgenos, influyen en el funcionamiento del organismo. Las pruebas de laboratorio, que no siempre cubre el seguro, podrían incluir la detección de moho ambiental u otras toxinas en el organismo o evaluaciones de:
Niveles de vitaminas y minerales
Salud intestinal
Marcadores inflamatorios
Sensibilidad alimentaria
Hasta cierto punto, la genética, el medio ambiente, las enfermedades previas y los factores sociales y de conducta influyen en los resultados de la salud de cada persona. La medicina funcional toma en cuenta todos estos aspectos y busca ralentizar la progresión de la enfermedad y optimizar la calidad de vida.
Terapias complementarias
El Parkinson puede causar diversos síntomas no motores, como rigidez, dolor, ansiedad, sueño y cambios de humor, y es posible que los medicamentos no los alivien todos. Las terapias complementarias no farmacológicas se han ido generalizando para el tratamiento de los síntomas del Parkinson, sobre todo para aquellos que no responden tan bien a los medicamentos recetados.
Ciertas terapias complementarias que fomentan las conexiones sociales y la creatividad al tiempo que promueven el propósito y el juego han demostrado mejorar la calidad de vida. Un metaanálisis de 2020 demostró que el baile mejoraba los síntomas motores y no motores y la calidad de vida en personas con Parkinson. Un programa de seis semanas de arteterapia con barro para Parkinson mostró una disminución de la depresión, el estrés y el pensamiento obsesivo-compulsivo entre los participantes.
Algunas terapias complementarias están basadas en la filosofía y la medicina chinas y en el concepto de chi o qi, la energía o fuerza vital que anima a una persona. Se cree que un chi lento o deficiente provoca enfermedades. El trabajo de respiración mente-cuerpo, como el Tai Chi y el qigong, utilizados para mejorar el equilibrio, el funcionamiento y el estado de ánimo en el Parkinson, busca mejorar el flujo de energía.
Hay otras terapias como:
Acupuntura: Un estudio demostró que la acupuntura, que también busca equilibrar el flujo de energía, podría aliviar el dolor musculoesquelético en el Parkinson. Otros informes de casos y estudios clínicos muestran que la acupuntura puede mejorar las actividades de la vida diaria de las personas con Parkinson. La punción seca, una técnica de fisioterapia utilizada para aliviar el dolor, acelerar la curación y mejorar el movimiento, también utiliza pequeñas agujas finas, pero la técnica es diferente y el objetivo es el tratamiento del músculo específico, en lugar de mejorar el flujo de energía.
Masaje: Se utiliza para aumentar la relajación y aliviar los espasmos y calambres musculares. Una revisión de 2020 que analizaba 12 estudios acerca de la terapia de masaje y sus beneficios en el Parkinson descubrió que:
Múltiples tipos de masaje inducían relajación.
Los participantes reportaron mejoras en el estado de ánimo, la fatiga, el sueño y el dolor.
Algunas investigaciones demuestran que los tipos de masaje neuromuscular, como el shiatsu, el tui na y el masaje neuromuscular tailandés, podrían mejorar los síntomas motores.
Terapia de luz roja: Las nuevas investigaciones muestran que la terapia con luz roja de bajo nivel, también llamada fotobiomodulación, puede tener un potencial neuroprotector en el Parkinson. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios. Los beneficios potenciales para la salud de la terapia con luz roja fueron descubiertos por científicos de la NASA que, al experimentar con diodos emisores de luz para estimular el crecimiento de las plantas, observaron que las luces también aceleraban la cicatrización de las heridas.
La terapia con luz roja se utiliza actualmente como parte de la terapia fotodinámica en dermatología para tratar ciertos tipos de cáncer de piel (la luz roja activa un fármaco fotosensibilizante). También se utiliza para tratar la psoriasis y el acné. Se cree que la terapia con luz roja actúa estimulando las mitocondrias de las células tratadas, lo que conduce a una actividad celular más eficaz y al crecimiento de nuevas células. Es importante proteger los ojos cuando se utiliza cualquier tipo de terapia con luz roja.
Cannabidiol (CBD): Este compuesto se encuentra en las plantas de cannabis como cáñamo y marihuana e interactúa con el sistema endocannabinoide del organismo. Los receptores CB1 y CB2, componentes clave de este sistema, intervienen en la comunicación entre las células cerebrales y la salud intestinal e inmunitaria.
En la marihuana, hay mayores concentraciones de THC, el compuesto que produce un efecto psicoactivo. El cáñamo suele ser rico en CBD, un compuesto que puede ser útil para el sueño, la ansiedad o el dolor, aunque se necesita más investigación. Epidiolex es una forma recetada de CBD, aprobada por la Food and Drug Administration (Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos) para tratar ciertos tipos de convulsiones.
La legalización de la marihuana medicinal y recreativa varía según el estado. Puede haber consideraciones de seguridad, dependiendo de sus síntomas o de los medicamentos que esté tomando.
Incorporación de la terapia complementaria a su rutina
La creación de un plan personalizado y equilibrado para manejar el Parkinson puede ayudarle a mantener su independencia. Las terapias complementarias, el contacto terapéutico, un profesional que escuche, el tiempo de descanso y la atención plena pueden mejorar la calidad de vida y la sensación de bienestar.
A la hora de decidir qué terapias podrían beneficiarle, piense en sus objetivos y en los síntomas que más le molestan. Mantenga una conversación abierta con su equipo de atención médica y analice las opciones de tratamiento disponibles. Hablar acerca de las posibles terapias con su doctor puede ayudarle a evitar posibles interacciones y garantizar los mejores resultados. Conectarse en línea o en persona con personas de la comunidad de Parkinson también puede darle la oportunidad de hablar acerca de lo que ha funcionado para otros y compartir sus propias experiencias.
Considere terapias que se ajusten a sus necesidades y que además sean accesibles, asequibles y manejables. Añada un elemento nuevo, observe los efectos o beneficios y ajuste o cambie los planes, con la opinión de su equipo de atención médica, según sea necesario.
Aprenda más
Explore nuestros recursos acerca de las terapias complementarias y el manejo de los síntomas en el Parkinson:
Hi. I’m Reka Janisse, and I live with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD). My symptoms began at 39, and I was officially diagnosed at 42. I’ve learned that Parkinson’s isn’t just about tremors — it’s an unpredictable mix of over 40 possible symptoms, from bradykinesia (slowness of movement) to dyskinesia (involuntary movement of face, arms or legs) and every day can feel different. Some mornings I’m dancing on TikTok, and others I’m moving in slow motion. The key? I never let two bad days stack up.
I approach Parkinson’s like I do my fitness training: with discipline, curiosity, and a lot of humor. Alongside medication, I lean on what I call “frosting therapy” — the lifestyle habits that make the whole journey more manageable. That means prioritizing exercise and focusing on muscle building as a way to fight back against symptoms.
I’m currently training to compete in my second HYROX, a high-intensity fitness competition, because mobility, strength and resilience are my best long-term strategies. Every PR (personal record) in the gym feels like a personal win over Parkinson’s.
I chose to tackle HYROX Dallas as a Parkinson's Champion, where I could design my own event. Not only will it challenge me physically, but the fundraising will help everyone living with PD. I’m interested in spreading awareness and inspiring others to take on a challenge. It’s you against you and it’s such a fulfilling and rewarding challenge especially if you do it year after year and get to work on improving your time. Considering this is a degenerative disease that is a thrilling goal to achieve!
Nutrition is another cornerstone. I’ve made it a non-negotiable to measure my meals and keep my diet steady, not out of obsession but because I know how much it impacts my energy, my gut health and even dopamine production. Food is fuel — and in my case, it’s therapy, too.
I also stay tuned into innovative approaches — like red light therapy, sauna and cold plunge therapy, and supplements — because supporting my body at the cellular level helps me manage symptoms and maintain quality of life. My main focus is to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation and improve cellular health.
Most importantly, I share this journey publicly on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to build awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding Parkinson’s, and bring some laughter into a space that often feels heavy. Humor is my superpower. By mixing honest education with moments of levity, I aim to show that living with Parkinson’s doesn’t mean losing joy.
I mostly rely on social media for my updates and news about Parkinson’s. I love the Parkinson’s Foundation Instagram page! Follow them on Instagram now.
My mission is to inspire and empower others, especially those diagnosed at a younger age, to take ownership of their health. Parkinson’s is part of my story, but it’s not my whole story. With movement, nutrition, community, and a little sass, I’m proving every day that you can live strong, laugh loud, and push back against this disease.
