Category: Cycling, Yoga, Tai Chi

Posted on

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month

I am glad we are having Parkinson’s disease Awareness Month.  Today, worldwide it is estimated there are seven to ten million of us with PD.  I am doing well in managing my PD. Hopefully with Rock Steady Boxing three times a week and walking six days a week the progress of my PD has slowed.  It has been two years since I was diagnosed with PD, and my doctor says I am doing well, and she has not increased my medications.  So, that is a good sign.  The Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania were recognizing Parkinson’s awareness month by giving away free tulips and PD awareness cards during lunch hour in Market Square here in Pittsburgh.  Rock Steady Boxing Clubs are holding special events in recognition of Parkinson’s awareness month.  The Michael J Fox Foundation has scheduled special events throughout many cities to recognize Parkinson’s awareness month and to raise donations for Parkinson’s research.  Click here to read about the latest breakthroughs in PD research.  We can all help by making donations to our favorite charities.   Another easy way to contribute is by using Amazon Smile and selecting your favorite Parkinson’s related organization. Find out more about Amazon Smile here.

 

Posted on

Cycling | Yoga | Tai Chi

https://www.nbcnews.com/widget/video-embed/917498947693

Cycling

“A Cleveland Clinic research study discovered that forced exercise with Theracycle, three times a week for 45 minutes at 80-90RPM, has promises for countering, even delaying the inability to move, and improve mobility caused by the disease.

 

Yoga Therapy

The Michael J Fox Foundation reports:

“Yoga continues to rise in popularity and is cited as a favorite non-medical therapy by many patients living with Parkinson’s disease. Current studies suggest benefits in following areas; Mobility, Balance, Strength, Flexibility, Mood and Sleep.  Also, the use of music with Yoga movements has shown to improve endurance, range of motion, strength, and hand coordination.”

Tai Chi

WebMD reports:

“Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art involving a slow and rhythmic movement that has shown to benefit Parkinson’s patients by improving their body balance and strength. Tai Chi engages both mind and body, helps patients use the undamaged parts of their brain to compensate for the areas that normally control automatic movements such as walking. It’s all about pushing yourself past your limits and reaching that point where you did not think you could reach, you get runners high.  Your neurons start clicking, you get the new cells working, and everything works more effectively.

Researchers don’t know exactly how Tai Chi works to restore balance but they say it may work by literally re-training areas of the brain that control body movements.“

Check your local area health clubs for class schedule.