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Treatment Options

• Medication Management
  Medication management is performed by the physician, nurse and pharmacist team using a specific regimen tailored for each individual patient. Patients are given verbal and written instructions with medication flow sheets and information about the benefits and potential side effects of each medication

• Botulinum Toxin Therapy
  This therapy involves an injection of the protein botulinum toxin directly into spastic/dystonic muscles to lessen abnormal muscle tone or contraction. Diseases that might benefit from these injections include torticollis, hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, dystonic tics, cerebral palsy, post stroke spasticity, multiple sclerosis, writer's cramp and chronic migraine headache.

• Cranio-Sacral Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy
  Massage and neuromuscular therapy is prescribed for patients suffering from muscle spasms and stiff and rigid muscles.

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
  Patients may receive preoperative evaluation for this procedure, which involves placement of an electrode, followed by stimulation of a specific part of the brain (thalamus, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus). Stimulation relieves tremor in essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD), or rigidity, bradykinesia and dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. DBS may be highly effective in medically refractory ET and PD patients.

• Pallidotomy
  The center can assess patients for this procedure, which involves placing a small surgical Lesion in the globus pallidus of the brain in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease to reduce tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and dyskinesia.

• Education
  Patients and caregivers receive educational materials during their first visit. Subscriptions to newsletters such as The Parkinson 's Report are also available through the center. A monthly lecture series on Parkinson's disease is held the second Wednesday of each month on the Shands Jacksonville campus. Speakers include physicians, nurses, therapists and other health professionals. Periodic courses and symposiums on Parkinson's disease are offered to the public and medical community. A resource library with brochures, books and videos is open to patients and families during the center's regular business hours.

• Physical and Rehabilitative Therapies
  Patients are assessed and referred for rehabilitative treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy including swallowing studies. Patients and their care partners are also referred for psychological, psychiatric or neuropsychological testing as part of a comprehensive approach to treatment.

• Support Groups
  Parkinson's patients and their family members receive group counseling led by licensed therapists at a monthly support group. Counseling is provided by the nurse coordinator on a one-on-one basis for patients who need help accepting their diagnosis, coping with their illness and desire more education regarding their disease state and treatment options. An early onset support group is also available.

• Yoga and Tai Chi Classes
  Parkinson's disease patients may participate in yoga and Tai Chi classes that aid in relaxation, flexibility, stress reduction and improving balance. Patients attending the weekly exercise classes also benefit through the emotional and psychological support they receive from the other class members.

• Clinical Drug Trials
  Patients of the Parkinson and Movement Disorder Center may have the opportunity to participate in clinical research trials to test the effectiveness of new medications and alternative therapies for a variety of movement disorders.

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