A September 2023 paper, published by Science Direct, discussed the use of traditional Chinese medicine which includes acupuncture, massage, herbal remedies, and movement and concentration exercises such as tai chi, to treat Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
The paper states that the active ingredients of some relevant Chinese medicines may improve the symptoms of PD and delay its development by inhibiting glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation through the NF-κB pathway. This means, it is possible to treat PD by targeting the inflammatory process. It also opens the door for future exploration and research in this area.
The authors write, “The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine are expected to be good candidates for the treatment of PD, as they provide holistic regulation through multi-targeting and multi-level effects, and are safe, inexpensive and readily available.”
PD effects almost one million people in the U.S. alone, and that total is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030. Since PD manifests differently in each person, health care professionals rely on a variety of treatment options, including traditional and complementary treatments.
