Treatments and therapies

Medications for managing symptoms 

Medications play an important role in managing Parkinson’s symptoms and supporting daily functioning. Most medications work by helping address changes in dopamine levels in the brain, which contribute to many motor and non-motor symptoms.

While medications can be highly effective, they are not a cure, and their benefits may change over time as the condition progresses. Each person’s treatment plan is tailored by a health care provider—typically a neurologist or movement disorder specialist—based on symptom severity, age, lifestyle, and other health conditions. Medications may come with side effects, so ongoing communication with your care team is essential to monitor how well the medications are working and to adjust the regimen as needed.

Visit our Medications webpage to learn more about medications for Parkinson’s.

Exercise and physical activity  

Exercise is an integral part of managing Parkinson’s and is considered one of the most effective non-medication strategies for managing symptoms and improving overall well-being. Regular physical activity can help with maintaining mobility, balance, flexibility, and strength, and may even slow Parkinson’s progression.

Physical activity also supports mental health, reducing symptoms like depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and improving sleep and cognitive function. Importantly, exercise may have neuroprotective effects, helping preserve brain function and potentially enhancing the impact of medications.

Visit our Staying active webpage to learn more about physical activity for Parkinson’s.

Advanced therapies 

Advanced therapies may be considered when Parkinson’s symptoms are no longer adequately controlled with optimized oral medications. These treatments offer different ways to manage symptoms when medications alone are no longer providing consistent benefit.

Not all symptoms respond equally to advanced therapies, and not everyone will be a suitable candidate. Decisions are based on symptom patterns, medication response, overall health, and personal goals.

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment that involves implanting electrodes in specific areas of the brain that regulate movement. These electrodes deliver controlled electrical impulses that help reduce motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement.
  DBS is usually considered several years after Parkinson’s symptoms begin, once the diagnosis is clear and medications no longer provide consistent symptom control. While DBS does not cure Parkinson’s, it can significantly improve quality of life for some people.
  DBS does not directly treat non-motor symptoms. However, some people report improvements in areas such as mood, fatigue, or pain, possibly because better motor control allows for greater activity and social participation. Decisions about DBS are made collaboratively between you, your care partner (if applicable), and a neurologist or movement disorder specialist, who will assess whether you are a suitable candidate based on your symptoms, overall health, and treatment history.

• Infusion therapies deliver Parkinson’s medication continuously using a pump system, either under the skin or directly into the small intestine. Continuous delivery can help maintain more stable medication levels and reduce “off” periods, motor fluctuations, and dyskinesias.
  Infusion therapies require careful assessment and ongoing management by a specialized health care team. Not all individuals will be candidates.

• Focused ultrasound (FUS) uses targeted ultrasound waves to create a small lesion in a specific area of the brain involved in movement. The procedure does not involve an incision. The treatment is not adjustable or reversible. FUS is only suitable for some people with Parkinson’s, and eligibility is assessed by a specialized, multi-disciplinary team through a movement disorder clinic.