A tailored three-month boxing exercise program significantly eased both motor and nonmotor symptoms — including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and pain — in people with early Parkinson’s disease, a new study shows. While the program’s participants reported an improvement in their motivation, there was no evidence that boxing reduced…

A three-month community-based boxing program significantly eased motor and non-motor symptoms, as well as depression, in adults with early Parkinson’s disease, a pilot study showed. These preliminary findings support larger and longer studies into the benefits of such programs, which also could include people with more advanced disease. Results were…

I never realized the benefits of music until I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Early in my diagnosis, I met Alexander Pantelyat, MD, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine, who introduced me to both music and dance. Together with boxing and other exercises,…

A non-contact boxing program could improve quality of life and willingness to exercise in people with Parkinson’s disease, new data shows. A preliminary study with these findings will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology‘s Annual Meeting, to be held in Toronto at the end of…

Dad has always loved films about fighters. There’s an allure to watching an underdog rise to fame. Maybe he’s mesmerized by the strength of characters like Rambo and Muhammad Ali because he hopes there’s a fighter in him as well. He won’t define himself by his circumstances or sink into…

When I think of a victim, I think of someone who has had something bad happen to them. A victim could be someone who has been tricked or fooled in some way. Maybe the person has been harmed, or even killed. Or it could be someone who has been affected…

In support of local health, wellness and educational programs, the Parkinson’s Foundation is granting $1.5 million to Parkinson’s community programs in 38 states. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000, and focus on programs that either help underserved Parkinson’s disease communities, target newly diagnosed patients, or advocate for clinical trial…

I started the exercise program Rock Steady Boxing about four months ago. If you’re like me, you’ve dragged your feet and refused to go for any number of reasons or excuses. Maybe there isn’t a class near you. Or, you feel too tired to go and don’t think you’ll…

I had every good intention of writing a column about my first experience with Rock Steady Boxing last week, but alas, things don’t always work out as planned. My first attempt A week ago, I walked into a gym settled in a nearby valley on a beautiful…

Third in a series. Read parts one and two. Complacency setting in “Complacency is a continuous struggle that we all have to fight.” –Jack Nicklaus It has been about a year since I started Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) classes. It has been a great journey filled with many…