Complementary therapies may support wellbeing alongside medical care.
Helping people manage symptoms, reduce stress, and improve quality of life through gentle, non-invasive practices like movement, mindfulness, and creative expression.
What is a complementary therapy?
A complementary therapy is a treatment or practice that is used alongside conventional medical care, not instead of it. These therapies aim to support overall wellbeing, help manage symptoms, and improve quality of life. They are often used to complement medications, physiotherapy, and other clinical treatments.
In Australia, many people with Parkinson’s disease use complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and art therapy alongside conventional treatments to manage symptoms and improve wellbeing. These therapies are often accessed through community programs or private providers.
Key features
- Non-invasive: Most complementary therapies are gentle and low-risk.
- Holistic: They often focus on the whole person (body, mind, and spirit).
- Supportive: They aim to reduce stress, improve mood, and help with symptoms like pain, stiffness, or fatigue.
Important considerations
- Complementary therapies do not replace medical treatment.
- Always talk to your care team before starting a new therapy.
- Evidence for effectiveness varies, some therapies are well-studied, others less so.
- Complementary therapies are generally not paid for through an NDIS or MAC plan.
Examples of complementary therapies for Parkinson’s
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine technique using fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Helps with managing pain, improving sleep, reducing stress, and supporting energy levels.
Massage therapy
Hands-on therapy that relaxes muscles and improves circulation. Helps with reducing stiffness, easing muscle pain, improving mobility, and promoting relaxation. May be paid for on your plan if done by an accredited physiotherapist instead of a regular remedial massage. Check with NDIS / MAC to be sure before booking.
Medicinal cannabis
Medicinal cannabis may be prescribed to help people with Parkinson’s manage various symptoms, including pain and sleep issues.
Mindfulness and meditation
Practices that focus on breathing, awareness, and calming the mind. Helps with reducing anxiety, improving sleep, managing pain, and increasing emotional resilience. Try some mindfulness out with Annie Harvey in our YouTube mental wellbeing playlist here.
Music and art therapy
Creative therapies that use sound, rhythm, or visual art to express emotions and stimulate the brain. Helps with enhancing mood, reducing anxiety, improving motor coordination, and supporting cognitive function. Read more: Art Therapy.
Red light therapy (photobiomodulation)
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), uses low-level red and near-infrared light to stimulate cells and improve function. It’s non-invasive, painless, and typically delivered through wearable devices like helmets or handheld lasers.
Some people living with Parkinson’s reported improvements in movement, mood, sleep, and cognition after using red light therapy as a complementary therapy alongside their usual treatments. Red light therapy is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and is not considered a first-line treatment for Parkinson’s.
Yoga or Tai Chi
Gentle movement practices that combine stretching, balance, and breathing. Helps with improving flexibility, balance, coordination, and reducing falls. Also supports mental wellbeing and reduces stress.
How do I access complementary therapies?
Always talk to your care team before starting a new therapy.
It’s advisable to explore all available pathways to find the support that best suits your individual needs. Look to:
- getting a GP referral to someone with Parkinson‘s experience
- your state-based Parkinson’s organisation for advice on local services to access
- private health to see what is covered in relation to consultations and expenses
- DVA, NDIS or My Aged Care plan supports.
Infosheet under review
References
- Li, X., Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2025). Acupuncture for Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 23(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2024.11.003
- McIntyre, A., & McIntyre, J. (2021). Painting with Parkinson’s: Art therapy and neurodegenerative disease. Australasian Journal of Ageing, 40(2), 123–129. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12987
- Li, F., Harmer, P., Fitzgerald, K., Eckstrom, E., Stock, R., Galver, J., Maddalozzo, G., & Batya, S. S. (2012). Tai Chi and postural stability in patients with Parkinson’s disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(6), 511–519. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1107911
- Parkinson’s Foundation. (2023). Complementary therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Retrieved from https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Treatment/Complementary-Therapies
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