Written by Dr. Michael Braitsch PT, DPT via May 2024 Newsletter
In our Tribe, we all know that sharing tips and finding ways to help each other to “self-manage” symptoms that are within each person’s control is a key to success! A commonly discussed topic in our groups lately has been “muscle cramping” as it relates to the common PD symptom of Dystonia. Muscle cramping and dystonia are prevalent motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease, causing discomfort and impairing movement. These symptoms can arise due to factors such as medication fluctuations, fatigue, stress, or prolonged immobility. Many forms of dystonia may require medical management, botox injections, or in more severe cases, tendon release procedures; however, there are commonly accepted self-management strategies that could be worth researching or exploring prior to changing meds with your Neurologist or pursuing more intense methods of treatment.
Stay Active: Regular physical activity remains a cornerstone in managing muscle cramping and dystonia. Research published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease suggests that structured exercise programs, including aerobic exercise, strength training, and tai chi, can improve muscle control and coordination, thereby reducing these symptoms.
Optimize Medication Absorption: Effective management of medications is crucial in controlling muscle cramping and dystonia. Before you seek to change the dosage of your medication, ensure that you are getting the most out of each dose by drinking a FULL GLASS OF WATER with carbidopa/levodopa, allowing it to travel further into the lower intestines where it can be absorbed. Also, pay attention to the timing of your meals to be sure that high-protein meals are not interfering with the absorption of your meds!
Incorporate Mind-Body Techniques: Mind-body interventions, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises, can mitigate muscle cramping and dystonia by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Research in the Journal of Neural Transmission suggests that these techniques modulate neural circuits involved in motor control, leading to improvements in Parkinson's motor symptoms.
References:
Allen, N. E., Sherrington, C., & Paul, S. S. (2019). Exercise for preventing and treating falls and mobility problems in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Parkinson's Disease, 9(4), 741-759.
Bhidayasiri, R., Cardoso, F., & Truong, D. D. (2015). Botulinum toxin in blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia: Comparing different botulinum toxin preparations. European Journal of Neurology, 22(5), 773-781.
Pickut, B. A., Van Hecke, W., Kerckhofs, E., & Mariën, P. (2019). Mindfulness based interventions in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Neural Transmission, 126(7), 791-802.
Araújo, T. A., Freire, R. C., Sampaio, T. M., & Araújo, L. S. (2019). Cramp relief with tonic water: Science and clinical myth. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 65, 180-183.
Miller, M., & Stone, N. J. (2010). Association of consumption of tonic water with quinine content and the risk of thrombocytopenia. Archives of Internal Medicine, 170(10), 851-858.
Garrison, S. R., Allan, G. M., Sekhon, R. K., & Musini, V. M. (2012). Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9), CD009402.
Berger, L. (2007). "Acid–Base Physiology." In M. J. Surfactant Science and Technology, pp. 241-256. CRC Press.
Garrison, S. R., Allan, G. M., Sekhon, R. K., & Musini, V. M. (2012)
My husband was diagnosed of Parkinson’s Disease a couple of years ago, he had severe fatigue, difficulty with mobility and sleeping. He was placed on Sinemet 3 times daily, which helped but only for a short while. So we decided to try alternative treatment and began on PD-5 protocol , It has made tremendous difference for my husband, he had improved walking balance, muscle strength and he is now very active. His Parkinson’s is totally under control, we got the treatment from binehealthcenter.com. This treatment is a breakthrough for PWP!