A middle-aged and older occurred in the substantia nigra and the nigrostriatal pathway degenerative diseases. For a slow movement, muscle rigidity and tremors as the main clinical features. Tremor more from the side limbs, gradually expanding and body; Because of increased muscle tone, expressed as "lead pipe" or "gear" for ankylosis; Kai-step difficulties, panic gait, and forming a mask-like face. The main pathological disease Although qualitative change for the black, but the disease has not yet specified reasons. Currently, Western medical science can use drugs can improve symptoms, but can not stop the disease course. Using scalp acupuncture treatment and obtain a certain effect, acupuncture is gaining industry attention. Since the 1980s to date, the acupuncture treatment paralysis agitans many of the clinical article.
1, electro-acupuncture -- Points
Main Points : Naokong
Distribution Point :Qianding.Baihui,Chengling,Xuanlu,Tianchong,Tongtian
2, Scalp --- Points
Main Points : Dance tremor zone.
Points allocation : sports zone, listen zone
3, the body acupuncture --- Points
Main Points : Sishenchong,Fengchi,Jiache,Qvchi,Hegu,Yanglingquang,Taichong
Persons with PD receiving acupuncture report a reduction in pain and sometimes improved sleep and mood and increased energy. Reduction of pain has consistently been reported by persons receiving acupuncture for a variety of conditions. Stimulation of the nerve fibers with the acupuncture needle is thought to activate the nervous, lymphatic, and electromagnetic pathways and result in a release of hormones that reduce pain as well as stimulate the immune system and improve circulation. Treatments often last 40 to 90 min while laying on one’s back with needles in place and to be effective may need to be done o minimum of one to three times weekly for a series of 10 to 12 weeks and then continue on a maintenance program of one to two times monthly. There are a few limited studies suggesting potential benefit of acupuncture for PD. One study involved 53 patients, 29 who received acupuncture every other day for a total of three months and 24 who received no acupuncture and did not change their western medications for PD. A significant improvement in PD motor symptoms was reported in the patients receiving acupuncture as well as an ability to reduce their dopaminergic medications, whereas the control group reported an overall worsening of symptoms. In similar studies, persons with PD have reported no change in symptoms or have withdrawn from the study due to lack of perceived benefit; however, in some studies improvements in sleep, depression, and quality of life were observed.
Parkinson's disease commonly suffer a slowing or freezing of movement caused by the death of neurons that make dopamine, a key chemical that allows brain cells to send and receive messages essential to voluntary movements (source:Massachusetts Institute of Technology.)
A connection between genetic and environmental causes of Parkinson's disease has been discovered by a research team. They found a genetic interaction between two Parkinson's disease genes (alpha-synuclein and PARK9) and determined that the PARK9 protein can protect cells from manganese poisoning, which is an environmental risk factor for a Parkinson's disease-like syndrome.(source:http://www.sciencedaily.com)
BBC news:The Keele University team told a conference that a "super-microscope" could spot changes in brain cells before the disease destroyed them.it could help identify early signs of Parkinson's disease
PhD graduate Dr Rachel Wenke has shown in a recent study that the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment® may be an effective option for dysarthria patients suffering from stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Acupuncture is used around the world as a complementary treatment for Parkinson's. Due to the ability of acupuncture to work on a broad range of body systems, it has a valid role in the treatment and maintenance of Parkinson's. Research has shown that acupuncture provides symptomatic improvement in many cases and some studies have shown that it could be effective in greatly slowing the progression of the disease if treatment is offered early enough in the disease course. acupuncture was found to create significant effects in motor function even when using distal points (points away from the scalp, in this case). This study shows how acupuncture can create and foster deep connections within the body and brain.A south korean study performed on rats published in the Journal Proteomics (2008 Nov;8(22):4822-32.) found that acupuncture could stave off the decrease in dopamine levels possibly by reducing inflammation systemically. This would be extremely helpful in the early stages of the disease and certainly warrants further research.
