My father is 75 years old now and was diagnosed with PD approximately 7 years ago. He is currently taking Sinemet and Comtan for PD. He goes to his neurologist about every other month. She has only ever prescribed medication but no physical therapy or anything else. I've seen others mention movement disorder specialists on this board. What exactly is a movement disorder specialist?

The first symptoms we noticed in my dad were depression and stiffening of the muscles so that he walked slower and with more of a shuffle. He is now getting more and more forgetful and is having more problems moving and doing every day types of things like shaving. He can still do these things but it takes him 3 or 4 times longer to do them than before. Me and the rest of my family are having the hardest time seeing the progression of this disease in my dad. He was always a VERY social and active person and now he will actually avoid social situations and family functions. I've taken him for a session of massage therapy because he experiences pain in the muscles of his neck and back. That helped him somewhat but I'm wondering if anyone else has any suggestions for things that might help him. I'm looking for anything....medicines, alternative therapies, movement disorder specialists?...that may help him. I realize that this is a progressive disease and that there may not be anything else that can be done for now but I just can't give up. I so badly want to be able to help him and make him feel better.

Thank you so much for listening and for any suggestions anyone may have.

Thank you!!!!

Jennifer