Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system movement disorder caused by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in Basal Ganglia.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease begins gradually and get worse over a period of time.

Along with postural problems and difficulty in walking certain issues regarding sleep, appetite, concentration, memory difficulty is seen.

Men are more prone for this disease than women. Patients usually get this condition around 60yr of age. While some early onset Parkinsonism disease is seen at the age of 50.

Parkinson’s disease affects basal ganglia which leads to affection of Extraa pyramidal tract leading to rigidity. There are 2 types of rigidity seen in Parkinsonism: Lead pipe and cog wheel. In lead pipe rigidity a continuous resistance to passive movement is seen. While in cogwheel rigidity intermittent resistance to Passive movement is obtained.

Motor impairments in Parkinson’s Disease mainly include:

• Rigidity of muscles
• Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
• Impaired balance and coordination.
• Tremors
• Speech problems
• Swallowing difficulties
• Difficulty writing
• Gastrointestinal abnormalities
• Fatigue of muscles and pain

What is rigidity in Parkinson’s disease?

Rigidity is defined by increased resistance during passive mobilization of an extremity, independent of direction and velocity of movement, and is one of the cardinal diagnostic features of Parkinson’s disease. (1)

Celtron is a Physiotherapy device based on Quantum Resonance Therapy. Quantum Resonance Therapy is a combination of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (P.E.M.F.) and hand held Magneto-Mechanical Oscillator (M.M.O.) that has therapeutic effects in Parkinson’s Disease.

Effects of PEMF on rigidity: (2)

1. Enhance cell proliferation and differentiation,
2. Enhance neurite outgrow,
3. Regulate neutrophic factors,
4. Stimulate angiogenesis,
5. Increase microvascular perfusion and tissue oxygenation,
6. Reduce apoptosis,
7. Stimulate neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and in the sub ventricular zone after lesion of Substantia Niagra. 

PEMF plays a major role by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system in Parkinson’s Disease. This activation chiefly releases Acetylcholine (Ach) on nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, eventually inducing relaxation and decreasing rigidity in the muscles. This allows better sleep, thus reducing fatigue levels and reducing pain.

The MMO is a hand held oscillating device that produces vibrations of specific frequencies. The device is used on rigid muscles of the body. It has significant effects on relaxation, pain relief and reduction of fatigue levels.

Both PEMF and MMO are applied to Upper cervical region and Sacral region to bring about maximum parasympathetic effects in the muscles.

References:

1. Parkinson’s Disease Rigidity: Relation to Brain Connectivity and Motor Performance
2. Effect of transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields (T-PEMF) on functional rate of force development and movement speed in persons with Parkinson’s disease: A randomized clinical trial