People with Parkinson's can help fight the disease with classes at Rock Steady Boxing

This April, Rock Steady Boxing at Advance Fitness in Melbourne, will join millions in observing Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder that can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech and sensory function.

Rock Steady Boxing at Advance Fitness gives those living with Parkinson’s hope today by offering a non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness routine proven to dramatically improve their activities of daily living.

A way Advance Fitness is celebrating Parkinson’s Awareness Month is through a few fun challenges. One of them is sit-to-stands, which, you guessed it, is as simple as getting up and down.

It’s an excellent and simple way to track how much an individual moves in a day to prevent sedentary behaviors.

From getting up off the couch, out of bed, to getting out of the car or getting up at a restaurant, all counts toward the monthly challenge.

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Brevard Parkinson’s Alliance, a non-profit group, is participating by hosting its 2nd annual 5K Run and 1K walk fundraiser at Brevard Veteran’s Memorial Center on Merritt Island on April 29..

The Rock Steady Boxing class begins with a full body stretching routine. We then box on the heavy bags with structured boxing combos.

Each day we do a different boxing combination and circuit exercises to include stability, cognition, agility and most importantly balance to name a few that have been proven to help create new neural pathways in the brain, which help slow down the disease.

Unfortunately there is no cure yet for Parkinson's, but coming together as a group yields camaraderie for the fighters, families and caregivers.

I started the Rock Steady Boxing program because I wanted to help others after watching my father suffer through the disease. I felt moved to make a difference in the community by providing relief for others by aiding to improve their quality of life.

Rock Steady Boxing at Advance Fitness began as a small group of four and quickly grew into a much larger group of 60 clients today. As word spread, and doctors began to take notice, the program has been such a success that local doctors have begun to directly refer patients to the program.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, more than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease and more than 60,000 Americans are diagnosed each year.

“There is strong evidence from clinical research studies that exercise helps Parkinson’s disease. Rock Steady Boxing is a proven exercise technique that can be helpful to people with Parkinson’s,” said Dr. Steven Gunzler, a neurologist for University Hospitals and assistant professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve University.

Rock Steady Boxing serves participants of all stages of Parkinson’s — from the newly diagnosed to those who have been living with the disease for decades.

Before beginning any Rock Steady Boxing classes, participants are required to do a “pre-flight check up”, which is a medical examination by their physician, requiring a Physician Medical Release form to be signed by the doctor for the safety of the new boxer.

We then do an assessment of our own to be able to identify Parkinson’s symptoms specific to the individual, to gather baseline data to be able to track improvements in six-month intervals and learn precautionary measures that need to be addressed, such as heart conditions, joint replacements, diabetes, etc...

Evaluation of this information allows the boxer to be placed in the proper Parkinson’s level class that would be of the greatest benefit to them.

An equally important factor in the initial assessment is to address concerns that a boxer may have, ease fears about the program and make certain the boxer and their family knows that Rock Steady is a source of strength, encouragement and support.

Testimonials from clients at Rock Steady Boxing at Advance Fitness speak volumes for the growing success of the program.

Rob B., a client: “Janice Moia and her Rock Steady Gym here in Melbourne, Florida, is literally a life saver as we continue our fight against Parkinson's. Janice and her team of certified coaches do a great job of adapting the Rock Steady workout to everyone's skill levels. Besides the physical fitness benefits, our class has become a family for all us in the fight against Parkinson's Disease.”

Rik S., a client: “Do not let the term 'Rock Steady Boxing' throw you off. This a multi-faceted program of which putting on boxing gloves and hitting the heavy bag is only one portion. Other activities to aid balance and improve muscle tone are varied each time we meet. Rock Steady Boxing provides a well-rounded exercise program in a supportive environment three times a week. Come in and see for yourself you will not be disappointed.”

Rock Steady Boxing affiliates are independently owned and operated. To learn more about Rock Steady Boxing at Advance Fitness, please contact Janice Moia at 321-693-9246 or the website www.rocksteadyboxingbrevard.com.

We are located at 2176 Sarno Rd #102, Melbourne, FL 32935.

For additional resources and to learn more about the overall organization, and to find a class near you, please visit Rock Steady Boxing, Inc. at www.rocksteadyboxing.org.

Janice Moia is the owner of Advance Fitness and has been a physical therapist assistant for 24 years.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: April is Parkinson's Awareness Month; here's how Rock Steady Boxing helps