Parkinson's Disease
A progressive neurological disorder affecting movement, often including tremors, stiffness, and balance problems.
Understanding Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. It develops when neurons in the brain that control movement begin to die, reducing dopamine production. Common symptoms include tremors, slowed movement (bradykinesia), rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, and changes in speech and writing. Early detection and a comprehensive treatment approach can significantly improve quality of life.
Summarized from public patient education published by the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and Mayo Clinic. It is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation for you.
The numbers
- Nearly 1 million
- Americans are living with Parkinson's disease.
- Source: Parkinson's Foundation
- ~90,000
- People in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year.
- Source: Parkinson's Foundation
- Around age 60
- Most people develop Parkinson's disease at or after age 60.
- Source: National Institute on Aging
- Dopamine loss
- Symptoms emerge as neurons in the substantia nigra that produce dopamine are progressively lost.
- Source: NINDS (NIH)
Symptoms people describe
- Tremor, often starting in the hands
- Bradykinesia (slowed movement)
- Muscle rigidity
- Impaired posture and balance
- Changes in speech and writing
How it is treated
- Medication to increase dopamine levels
- Deep brain stimulation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language therapy
Which of these applies to you depends on your history and exam. We review the options with you rather than starting from a protocol.
What care looks like here
A full neurological evaluation by telehealth, alongside the five NEURO lifestyle domains — nutrition, exercise, unwinding stress, restorative sleep, and cognitive engagement — written into one plan you can read.
Before you book, three things to know
- Where we can see you
- Telehealth only, in the eight states where our clinicians hold licensure: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Virginia.
- How payment works
- Out-of-network and cash-pay. We do not participate in Medicare or bill commercial insurance. You receive a superbill to submit yourself, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
- What it costs
- Initial neurological consultation $500. Follow-up visit $250. Comprehensive brain-health assessment $1,500. Prices are published, not quoted.
Who you would see
Clinicians affiliated with Healthopia Institute practice independently. Faculty affiliation means the clinician contributes to the Institute's protocols and education and meets its published standards. It is not a guarantee of outcomes and not an endorsement of individual clinical competence.
If this describes what you are living with, we can start with a conversation.
An initial consultation is a full neurological history and exam by telehealth — $500, cash-pay, in the eight states listed above.