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The Capistrant Center has neurologists onsite to coordinate your care and treatments. We offer medical and surgical treatments, as well as therapies, for both Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders:

Medication

There are a number of medicines that are effective in helping to ease the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

Because most symptoms are caused by a lack of dopamine, medications usually work to replace or mimic dopamine. This improves tremor, rigidity and slowness. Studies of new medicines are underway and promise to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders.

Chemodenervation with Botulinum Toxin injections

Botox therapy, most commonly known for cosmetic purposes, has long been found to effectively treat dystonia, a disorder that affects the nervous system. In those with dystonia, improper brain signals force muscles to tighten and twist involuntarily, sending the body into awkward movements and positions.

The Capistrant Center uses Botox to help block flawed communication between the nerve and the muscle and lessen abnormal movements and postures. Various surgeries, including deep brain stimulation (see below) can also be used with Botox to reduce symptoms from dystonia and other movement disorders.

Intra-thecal Baclofen therapy

Baclofen is a medicine that relaxes muscles and allows for more normal motor movements. "Intra-thecal" means it is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the spinal cord). For those with movement disorders, Baclofen is often more effective when administered this way, instead of by mouth.

Deep brain stimulation

With deep brain stimulation (DBS), a battery-operated medical device called a neurostimulator is implanted in the brain. (It is similar to a heart pacemaker.) DBS works by delivering electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement. This blocks abnormal nerve signals that cause Parkinson's disease, tremors, dystonia and many other movement disorders. As a result, many DBS patients achieve greater control over their body movements.

DBS surgery is FDA-approved. Its success and safety, in well chosen patients, is well demonstrated.

Therapies

• Physical therapy
  
  Physical therapy works to improve walking, balance and endurance. Our physical therapists design customized exercise programs to help enhance your mobility.
• Occupational therapy
  
  Occupational therapy helps maximize your independence. Working with occupational therapists, you'll learn how to continue to best care for yourself and continue your daily tasks using compensation strategies and adaptive equipment, when needed.
• Speech pathology (speech therapy)
  
  Speech pathologists work with you to improve voice volume, speech clarity and swallowing function.