Parkinson's disease (PD) is a slowly progressive disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance.

PD occurs as cells are destroyed in the brain stem, particularly the substantia nigra. Nerve cells in the substantia nigra send out fibers to the corpus stratia, gray and white bands of tissue located in both sides of the brain. There, the cells release dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the brain). Loss of dopamine in the corpus stratia is the primary defect in Parkinson's disease.

Dopamine is one of the three major neurotransmitters known as catecholamines which help the body respond to stress and prepare it for the fight-or-flight response. Loss of dopamine negatively affects the nerves and muscles controlling movement and coordination, resulting in the major symptoms characteristic of Parkinson's disease. The disease process can also affect blood pressure, pulse rate, perspiration, and other automatic responses to stress.

Just giving dopamine is not the answer for Parkinson's, because it doesn't cure the ongoing death to brain cells that produce dopamine.

At Dr. Steenblock's Clinic we strive to pinpoint some of the underlying deficiencies and toxicities that contribute to Parkinson's, including heavy metal toxicity, dietary deficiencies and excesses (like glutamate, as in monosodium glutamate) and damaging radiation sources. (See Links & Library for more information). Therapies are focused on eliminating the offenders and introducing healing oxygen and nutrients. Some of the valuable therapies we use for Parkinson's disease are dietary modifications, powerful anti-oxidant and chelating supplements, ECP, and PEMT. Patients can also explore the exciting work being done in human umbilical cord stem cell therapy.