Therapy Help for Parkinson's in the UK

The NHS treatment page (read 10 November 2026) describes four supportive therapies:

• Physiotherapy: a physiotherapist works with you to relieve muscle stiffness and joint pain through movement and exercise, aiming to make moving easier and improve walking, flexibility, fitness and independence.
• Occupational therapy: an occupational therapist looks at areas of difficulty in everyday life, such as dressing or getting to the shops, and helps you find practical solutions and make sure your home is safe and set up for you.
• Speech and language therapy: many people with Parkinson's have swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and speech problems. A speech and language therapist can often help by teaching speaking and swallowing exercises or providing assistive technology.
• Diet advice: a dietitian may help if your care team thinks diet changes would help, for example with constipation, dizziness from low blood pressure, or unplanned weight loss.

Source: NHS: Parkinson's disease treatment. The NHS also links to the NICE guideline on Parkinson's disease (NG71).

The NHS says a care plan should be agreed with your healthcare team and your family or carers, and reviewed regularly. It also notes efforts to increase NHS access to supportive therapies, so availability varies by area. Ask your Parkinson's specialist, Parkinson's nurse or GP about referral to NHS physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy or a dietitian.

Your local council can also do a free care and support needs assessment, which can include help at home. See GOV.UK: apply for a needs assessment.

The NHS lists depression and anxiety among the extra symptoms some people with Parkinson's have, and says they can be treated with self-care such as exercise, psychological therapy or medicine. Sleep problems can also be helped. Talk to your care team, or you can usually refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies in England. Privately, you can search counsellors and psychotherapists or practitioner psychologists.

Parkinson's UK runs a free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm, read 10 November 2026), with trained advisers including specialist Parkinson's nurses. Source: Parkinson's UK helpline. See also NHS: living with Parkinson's.

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and dietitians are all regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and these titles are protected in UK law. You can check the HCPC register by name or number. If you see someone privately, tell your Parkinson's team so care fits together, and ask whether the practitioner has experience with Parkinson's or other neurological conditions.

Whoever you choose, check their register and ask about fees, session length and how you will review progress together. See questions to ask a private allied health professional and how much therapy costs. On Therapist Circle, each practitioner's registration is checked when they join, and their profile shows the register and number so you can check it yourself.