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Throughout the day in our boxing gym, we help people perfect their boxing technique so they can safely use non-contact boxing modified for Parkinson’s to help them slow down their disease. One boxing move that can be frustrating for people with Parkinson’s is the uppercut. Sometimes we see unusual wear patterns on the thumbs of their boxing gloves. This is because they can’t rotate their forearms and end up hitting with their thumbs up. There are a couple of big hurdles to performing the uppercut correctly, or any other task that requires the “palms up” position.

Continue reading “Why Boxing Uppercuts are Hard with Parkinson’s”

So often we “pinch” or “squeeze” our shoulder blades together trying to stand straighter. Even well-meaning health professionals use this cue to correct their clients’ posture. This motion puts your back, shoulders, and neck in an unhealthy position, creating more pain and dysfunction.

Your shoulder blades should “glide and float” on your ribs. If you have a stooped posture, your shoulder blades can’t sit or glide normally on the ribs, causing pain in your upper back and shoulders.

The “Open the Newspaper” Exercise is a great way to remind your shoulder blades where neutral position is, and it promotes a healthy range of motion of the scapula (shoulder blades). All you need is a full-size (36-inch) foam roller.

Continue reading “If You Want To Correct Parkinson’s Posture, Open the Newspaper!”

It’s April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month. During this month, there are a lot of fundraisers and public awareness and education campaigns. But I’d like to pause for a moment and celebrate the Parkinson’s “Support Team”—the loving partners, family members, and caregivers operating behind the scenes who so often exhaust themselves with tasks, worry, and run their own tanks empty.

Continue reading “PD “Support Team”: Fill Up Your Emotional Tank!”

With Parkinson’s Disease, the feet can cramp, tingle, tremor, twist, or curl up due to neuromuscular disconnect, tight tissue, and faulty gait mechanics. You should never ignore these symptoms because the health of your feet can affect your balance and overall quality of life.

You must treat your feet! My exercises for curling toes help counteract some of the tight tissue and promote extension to an already flexed foot.

Continue reading “Do This Daily to Treat Painful Parkinson’s Toes”

Last week’s blog about beans being a Parkinson’s superfood was a hit! (Click here to read it.) Several of my readers wanted to know the recipe for the photo I shared of my Instant Pot Taco Bowl. This is my absolute favorite way to eat beans.

As you can imagine, I’m really busy managing the Rebel Fit Club, so I need fast and healthy meal prep during the week. It’s so important to nourish your body with REAL ingredients that are low in saturated and trans fat. This recipe only takes five minutes to prep and requires a minimal amount of chopping. It makes approximately four servings—enough for dinner for two nights for my sweetheart Sean and myself. We eat this every week!

Continue reading “The Best Taco Bowl Bean Recipe for Parkinson’s”