By: Deb Martín, Holistic Health & Food Educator
October 2026
Neurological diseases are steadily on the rise, and they seem to be growing in tandem with forces such as the continued expansion of modern chemicals and unsafe “foods” in our world. These create inflammatory conditions which are common—indeed expected–in neurological disease. Western Medicine, traditional medicines such as Chinese Medicine, food as medicine, and other lifestyle adjustments can help.
This article explores two complementary modalities for Parkinson’s Disease (PD): Acupuncture and Argentine Tango. Acupuncture has long been used to support patients with neurological conditions, while exercise is well established as an important part of Parkinson’s care.
But Argentine Tango is more than exercise. Its unique combination of movement, music, balance, concentration and human connection may make it especially useful for people with Parkinson’s.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
The way I explain acupuncture for Parkinson’s: Neurons begin to deteriorate, causing motor issues and often tremors. The person gets increasingly anxious, and these two factors feed off each other, creating an ongoing firestorm.
Calming the nervous system with acupuncture and Qigong energy calms the person, slows the escalating firestorm, and makes the person more comfortable. I have also seen significant results within hours. For example, a woman whose arm had been stuck to her side for many weeks was brought in by her husband. She was more than a bit skeptical! The next morning she awoke to a miracle! Her arm was free and moving.
“David Martin, D.O.M.”
ARGENTINE TANGO: EXERCISE AND MUCH MORE!
Exercise is Important
Exercise is widely recognized as beneficial for many conditions affecting the brain, including Parkinson’s. There are sports and activities specifically adapted for people with Parkinson’s—including table tennis, Tai Chi and water aerobics.
Dance adds something special. Movement combined with music brings the whole person into the moment. It can be exercise, mental stimulation, social connection—and simply a happy experience.
Argentine Tango is Uniquely Useful for Parkinson’s
During the summer of 2024, Dr. David and I were in Colorado. We had recently begun studying Argentine Tango in earnest, and I heard a story about a Parkinson’s Argentine Tango Performance Group in Denver (Parasol Arts, a non-profit dance and theatre company in Denver Colorado). I was told by one of my teachers in Denver that these dancers left their walkers and walked with their partners to the stage to perform tango. They left behind the constraints of their usual Parkinson’s movement issues and danced to the music! The mere thought of how freeing that must be for someone enduring the constraints and balance issues of Parkinson’s made me tear up.
I promptly joined the volunteer team with the group as a dance partner, and I began taking the lessons with a newly diagnosed man from Boulder, Colorado.
What Does the Research Say?
Researchers have explored customized tango movements specifically for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Some have developed approaches called “elemental tango therapy” and “rush elemental tango therapy.”
This isn’t simply social dancing. Specific elements of Argentine Tango are adapted to a patient’s physical abilities and neurological symptoms.
An Effective Complementary Therapy for Parkinson’s
Argentine Tango is an improvised, non-choreographed partner dance anchored by a close embrace. It creates a connection with the music, the floor and your partner. It becomes communication without words.From both the research and my own experience assisting in these classes, several things stand out:
- Warm-ups matter. They prepare the body while helping engage coordinated movement.
- Safety matters. Having furniture or other supports nearby can help prevent falls and provide reassurance.
- Walking with a partner builds skills. Practicing basic tango movements can work on balance, direction and coordination.
- Repetition is important. The class provides a safe place to learn, concentrate, practice—and practice some more!
- Music brings its own magic. Our brains respond to rhythm and music.
- Movement can be customized. Steps can be adapted to each person’s abilities and challenges.
- The social connection is wonderful. People are working through similar challenges together. There are shared giggles and lots of smiles—and caregiver spouses enjoy this aspect, too!
- Rest is good! So is regular practice. Consistency helps students become more comfortable with the movements.
Check out the video from WTNH News8 :Yale Parkinson’s patients learn to tango for balance
The Benefits Are Meaningful
Research suggests Argentine Tango can provide helpful outcomes for people with Parkinson’s, particularly those with mild-to-moderate symptoms.
The strongest evidence centers around balance and functional mobility, including:
- Better balance and postural control
- Improved standing, turning and changing direction
- More coordinated walking and improved stride
- Practice with backward movement, which can be difficult with Parkinson’s
- Greater lower-body strength, flexibility and endurance
- Increased confidence with movement
Research also suggests possible benefits involving mood, social interaction, motivation to exercise, attention and planning, fatigue and overall quality of life.
So, What About Those Dancers in Denver?
Tango repeatedly asks dancers to start, stop, turn, change speed, shift weight and adjust stride length. Music provides an external rhythm, while a partner offers physical and visual cues. The changing steps also require concentration, attention and motor planning.
These elements may help people with Parkinson’s find different ways to initiate and coordinate movement. And that brings me back to those dancers walking onto the stage without their walkers and canes. Whatever was happening neurologically, what I find most powerful is what I first felt when I heard their story: For those moments, they were dancing—not focusing on Parkinson’s. And there is something incredibly beautiful about that.
For that reason, I suggest considering Argentine Tango as a complementary form of exercise, added to—not substituted for—a patient’s existing treatment program.
CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE
Finally, consider acupuncture as another complementary approach to promoting calm, comfort and overall wellness.
In our clinic, Dr. David has worked with patients experiencing a variety of neurological issues, including Parkinson’s, Bell’s Palsy and the effects of stroke. We have seen some remarkable individual outcomes in his care.
Every patient and every neurological condition is different, but seeking supportive care earlier can provide more opportunities to explore the options available.
REFERENCES
Hackney, M. E., & Earhart, G. M. (2009). Effects of dance on movement control in Parkinson’s disease: A comparison of Argentine tango and American ballroom. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 41(6), 475–481.
PubMed
Lötzke, D., Ostermann, T., & Büssing, A. (2015). Argentine tango in Parkinson’s disease—A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Neurology, 15, 226.
PubMed
Effects of rush elemental tango therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease. (2020).
PubMed
Hackney, M. E., Kantorovich, S., Levin, R., & Earhart, G. M. (2007). Effects of tango on functional mobility in Parkinson’s disease: A preliminary study.Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 31(4), 173–179.
PMC Full Text
International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Hot Topic: Argentine tango in the rehabilitation of persons with Parkinson’s disease. Podcast featuring Nicole Duff and Prof. Hae-Young Hwang discussing motor, non-motor, and neuroplastic benefits of tango and Prof. Hwang’s work at Yale School of Medicine.
Listen to the MDS Podcast
Parasol Arts: A non-profit dance and theatre company in Denver Colorado sponsors a weekly class : Argentine Tango for Parkinson’s Disease.
The current teacher is Paula Kirkland, a dance instructor, movement specialist and bodywork practitioner.
Lotus Blossom Clinic serves the greater Fort Myers community through integrative and holistic care, including acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na (Chinese medical massage), science-based Food as Medicine guidance, and supportive therapies designed to restore balance and support whole-body wellness.