Tri-Cities Manual Therapy

Parkinson’s Disease

Massage Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease affects much more than movement. It can influence posture, breathing, sleep, digestion, emotional health, and overall quality of life. If you are living with Parkinson’s, massage therapy may offer real relief.

Massage cannot stop disease progression, but it can support your nervous system, ease discomfort, and improve how your body feels and functions day to day.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition that causes a gradual loss of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps regulate smooth, coordinated movement. As levels drop, symptoms may include:

  • Muscle stiffness and rigidity

  • Tremors or shaking

  • Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)

  • Fatigue or low energy

  • Balance issues and falls

  • Stooped posture

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Changes in mood or motivation

Over time, these symptoms can interfere with daily life and create a sense of physical and emotional exhaustion. Massage therapy offers a supportive, non-drug option to help ease this burden.

How Massage Can Help with Parkinson’s

Massage therapy is one of the most widely used complementary therapies for people living with Parkinson’s. When provided by a therapist who understands the condition, massage can offer benefits such as:

1. Reducing Muscle Rigidity and Tension

Parkinson’s often causes certain muscles to become overactive while others weaken. This imbalance can make the body feel tight, heavy, or stuck. Massage can help release overworked muscles and support greater flexibility and movement.

2. Supporting Posture and Balance

As posture begins to change, particularly with a forward-leaning stance or stooped spine, massage can play a role in realignment. We focus on lengthening tight muscles in the front of the body while encouraging strength and awareness in the back.

3. Improving Circulation and Mobility

Massage helps stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which may improve mobility and reduce swelling or discomfort in the limbs. This is especially helpful for clients who experience stiffness or slowness when moving.

4. Promoting Better Breathing

Shallow, upper chest breathing is common with Parkinson’s. Massage can support diaphragmatic movement, rib expansion, and help free up the chest and shoulders to allow easier, fuller breathing.

5. Easing Stress and Supporting Emotional Well-Being

Living with a chronic condition can take a toll on mental health. Massage promotes the release of serotonin and dopamine, which may help lift mood and improve sleep. The simple act of receiving safe, caring touch can be incredibly grounding and restorative.

6. Supporting Digestion and Sleep

Massage can support the nervous system as a whole, helping to calm the body and mind. For clients who struggle with digestion, constipation, or sleep disturbances, sessions may be adapted to address these concerns gently and holistically.

Why Stooped Posture Happens in Parkinson’s

One of the most visible changes in Parkinson’s is a gradual stooping of the spine. The head may begin to jut forward, the chest collapses, and the hips may tilt or tuck under. This pattern, when severe, is known as camptocormia.

Stooped posture happens for several reasons:

  • The brain’s control over posture and balance becomes disrupted

  • Muscles in the front of the body become tight and overactive

  • Muscles in the back of the body become weak or underused

  • The spine and torso lose flexibility

  • People stop self-correcting due to slower movements or altered body awareness

Over time, ligaments and connective tissues may begin to adapt to this forward-flexed position, making the pattern feel “locked in.”

How Massage Addresses Stooped Posture

Our approach is both structural and neurological. A session may include:

  • Gentle release of tight muscles in the chest, neck, abdomen, and hips

  • Rib and spine mobilization to support breathing and flexibility

  • Guided breathing work to reconnect with the diaphragm and lower ribs

  • Activation of postural muscles in the back, glutes, and shoulders

  • Safe, supportive movement and coordination practice

What You May Notice After Massage

Clients often report:

  • A feeling of lightness or openness in the chest

  • Less stiffness or pulling in the neck and hips

  • Better posture without forcing

  • Easier breathing and deeper rest

  • Increased confidence in balance and movement

What to Expect During Your Session

Sessions are designed to meet you where you are. Whether you experience tremors, rigidity, limited mobility, or fatigue, we will adapt the session to suit your comfort level and energy. Positioning, pressure, and pace are always adjusted to your needs.

We Are Here to Help You Feel More at Home in Your Body

You do not have to wait until things get worse. Massage therapy can support your journey today. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s for years, our work together is grounded in respect, clinical knowledge, and whole-body care.