Bringing Balance to the Brain: Acupuncture and Parkinson’s Care at the 2025 Bellevue HOPE Conference

Join Us at the Bellevue HOPE Conference: Empowering the Parkinson’s Community with Knowledge, Hope, and Holistic Care

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation will host the Bellevue HOPE Conference®, an inspiring day of education, innovation, and connection for people living with Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Held in Bellevue, WA, this event is designed to provide the latest updates, evidence-based treatment options, and practical strategies for improving quality of life with Parkinson’s.

I’m honored to be one of the featured speakers this year, alongside esteemed colleagues including:

• Dr. Pravin Khemani, MD, FAAN

• Dr. Laurie Mischley, ND, PhD, MPH

• Dr. Benjamin L. Grannan, MD

• Dr. Janice Stegmueller, PT, DPT

• Alessia Eng, PTA

My Talk: Acupuncture and Parkinson’s: Bridging East and West in Supportive Care

As a licensed acupuncturist with a background in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern neuroscience, I will be presenting on how acupuncture supports brain health and holistic wellness in people with Parkinson’s.

Recent research shows that acupuncture can positively influence not just motor symptoms like tremors and rigidity, but also non-motor symptoms including sleep disturbances, constipation, mood changes, and fatigue. During my talk, I’ll cover:

• How acupuncture affects key brain regions involved in Parkinson’s, including the basal ganglia and default mode network

• Clinical evidence showing improvements in gait, tremors, sleep, and urinary function through acupuncture¹

• The connection between the brain-gut axis and Parkinson’s—and how acupuncture may help regulate this dynamic system²

• Safe, supportive interventions that complement conventional care, including lifestyle and self-care recommendations from an integrative perspective

  
  

My goal is to help attendees understand the science behind acupuncture, its clinical relevance, and how this ancient practice is gaining ground globally in modern Parkinson’s care.

Why You Should Attend

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been managing Parkinson’s for years, this event is designed to help you feel more empowered, informed, and supported. You’ll gain:

• Access to leading experts in neurology, integrative medicine, and rehabilitation

• Insight into cutting-edge therapies that go beyond medication

• Connection with others in the Parkinson’s community who share your journey

• Practical tools to optimize brain and body wellness

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Event Details

Bellevue HOPE Conference®

Saturday, July 26, 2025🕤 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Register at: www.nwpf.org/HOPE2025

Venue Address: Bellevue College 3000, Landerholm Circle, Bellevue, WA 98005

For questions, contact Jen Hildebrand at: jen@nwpf.org

I look forward to seeing you there and sharing how holistic, research-backed approaches like acupuncture can make a meaningful difference in Parkinson’s care.