Sweat Therapy Fitness holds Open House for Parkinson's Awareness Month
Every 6 seconds someone in the United States is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This neurological, progressive disorder affects “motor” and “non-motor” movements. Examples of motor symptoms are stiffness, rigidity, tremors and difficulty moving limbs which can cause gait and balance challenges.
Non-motor symptoms include depression, anxiety, blood pressure challenges, sleep problems, hallucinations and cognitive impairments. Symptoms generally develop slowly over the years and the progression of PD varies widely from one person to another. Originally PD was thought to be only genetic, but researchers are discovering environmental factors can play a role as well.
Once someone has been diagnosed with PD, it is important to work with your doctors and follow their suggested therapies. The Parkinson’s Foundation, an organization improving care, better living and researching for a cure, recommends those living with PD exercise 150 minutes each week.
The exercises should include aerobic, strength, balance and stretching. One program they recommend that includes all of this is Rock Steady Boxing. The RSB curriculum is designed to addresses both motor and non-motor symptoms. Studies of this program have shown that participants exhibit improved balance, decreased falls, and felt less isolated.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness month, with an opportunity to learn more Tuesday at an Open House at Sweat Therapy Fitness.
Special guests include: Becky Greenhill, M.Ed., CCC-SLP on speech therapy interventions; Kim Bibeau presenting about Rock Steady Boxing; experience a class, hear from current members how it’s changed their life; Dr. Matthew Davis, Functional Neurosurgeon on the multi-disciplinary approach to Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy. Webinar at 3 p.m. hosted by Medtronic/PMD Alliance showcases two individuals that made the decision to have Deep Brain Stimulation so they are living their best life with Parkinson’s.
If you go
What: Open House on Parkinson's Disease
When: 12:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 25
Where: Sweat Therapy Fitness, 1122 Thomasville Road
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tips on Parkinson's disease treatment offered at Sweat Therapy Fitness
