Category: Fitness

There is growing evidence that the mind-body Chinese martial art of tai chi has great value in addressing some of Parkinson’s most problematic symptoms, like balance and falling.

Parkinson’s affects one’s proprioception, which is the ability to sense the position of your body in space. A report in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that tai chi helps train sensory neurons in the inner ear and stretch receptors in the muscles and ligaments which improve balance in people with Parkinson’s. Tai chi also improves muscle strength and flexibility, which makes it easier to recover from a stumble. A fear of falling makes you more likely to fall; tai chi can help reduce that fear.

Continue reading “The Health Benefits of Tai Chi for Parkinson’s Disease”

With the opening of our new gym last week, I have had a huge influx of new fighters. As I conduct the fighter’s initial evaluations for correct class placement, I am amazed at how many people are not aware of the complexity of Parkinson’s disease. I’ve always thought of myself as an educator first, and a forever student at the same time. My mentors are the researchers and my teachers are the people who actually navigate Parkinson’s in their own lives, both the “patient” and their family support team.

In the beginning, people me tell me they are doing fine with their PD and their symptoms are minimal and hardly noticeable. However, when they come in the door it’s obvious their symptoms are not minimal. They could actually be considered dangerous to themselves.

Continue reading “Is Parkinson’s Tricking You into Thinking You Are Moving Normally?”

I love the saying, “Motion is the lotion when you have Parkinson’s Disease.” I’ve used it for years with my personal training clients because it is a clever way to remember a powerful message. With sitting or resting too much, painful joints can become more painful. Moving your body regularly keeps joints and soft tissues flexible.

People will tell me that their doctor said to rest their back/knee/etc., but the truth is that moving is the therapy. Here’s why: it is widely accepted by doctors, physical therapists, trainers and other body workers that the body’s soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) will shorten and tighten if not moved through their full range of motion on a regular basis. If soft tissue is inflamed, it becomes more swollen if it is held still or isolated. When that joint is moved again, it will feel tight and painful. This makes the person feel like it’s a bad idea to move it, and they go back to resting which ultimately makes the condition worse.

Continue reading “Motion Is The Lotion When You Have Parkinson’s Disease”

After our ladies boxing class, I was talking to my fighters about how you have to change things up in order to create brain change through neuroplasticity and improve your fitness level. One of my ladies (a retired teacher) said there was a study in which students learned a topic better and their scores improved when the environment was changed just a little (such as lighting). Wow! I haven’t seen that study, but I do know that when we mix a cognitive exercise with a physical exercise, it improves both. One of my ladies said that she plays solitaire on her phone upside down for a change and a challenge!

Continue reading “Want to Super Charge Your Learning When You Have Parkinson’s?”