Naturopathic Remedies - Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment

Unlike many conditions for which the pathology involves bacteria, viruses or genetic mutations, tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a human-made disorder caused by the use of synthetic medications. The condition was unknown and non-existent prior to the use of anti-psychotic (neuroleptic) medications in the 1950s.

As side effects of prescription drugs become more apparent, patients are seeking safer alternatives. Naturopathy is an eclectic and holistic approach that uses a range of modalities that includes herbal and root extracts, diet, acupuncture, massage and tissue manipulation and other methods.

A Brief History

Naturopathy goes back well over 100 years to the Nature Cure Movement of late 19th-Century Europe, which in turn is rooted in the Hippocratic School of Medicine over 2,400 years ago. Hippocrates, arguably the "Father of Western Medicine," believed that self-healing was a natural process and that a physician needed to look at the body as a whole rather than focusing on its component systems.

Like traditional Chinese medicine, its focus is on prevention more than cure and requires the patient to take an active role in the preservation of his or her own well being. Although naturopathy in the U.S. was initially popular, interest in this particular field waned as new drugs were developed.

Roots and Herbs as Treatment

Those who subscribe to the idea that "natural" roots and herbs are somehow better than synthetic drugs often do not realize that "synthetic" prescription drugs usually contain the same compounds that are extracted from these same roots and herbs. The difference is that while roots and herbs in their natural state contain several different compounds (along with the medicinal one) in relatively low concentrations. A synthetic drug is a highly concentrated form of one specific compound. Although natural roots and herbs are less likely to result in harmful side effects and interactions, the potential still exists.

Implications of Naturopathy for Tardive Dyskinesia

Of all the alternative treatments used to manage the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, Vitamin E appears to be the most promising and poses the fewest risks. Technically known as tocopherol, Vitamin E occurs naturally in tree nuts, whole grains, olive oil and leafy green vegetables. Its effect on tardive dyskinesia is not entirely clear as studies conducted between 1987 and 1999 had mixed results. It appears however that Vitamin E therapy for tardive dyskinesia is most effective on younger patients whose symptoms have appeared only recently.

One significant fact about tardive dyskinesia is that in many patients, symptoms improve and in some cases disappear altogether when stress levels are lower. Stress management is part of naturopathic treatment, and may well be worth investigating. At the very least, these techniques (which include meditation, aromatherapy and massage) do no harm.

Free information packet on Tardive Dyskinesia

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