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OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
ROCKING
PARKINSON’S
WORLD
With Rock Steady Boxing, Parkinson’s disease
symptoms don’t have a fighting chance.
FOR PEOPLE WITH Parkinson’s their motor skills, sometimes in as little Rehabilitation Hospital,
disease, everyday activities suddenly as a week. Navicent Health is a growing
become challenges. Slow movements, program that wants to reach
shaking and loss of balance can “One man had to walk with a cane
make simple movements more when he first came to us,” Anderson people with all levels of
difficult. says. “Pretty soon, he didn’t need it Parkinson’s disease. The more
anymore. He was walking upright. education we can provide to
Roughly 50,000 people are diagnosed We were all proud of him, and he was
with Parkinson’s disease each year, proud of himself, too.” patients, the more they will
according to the National Institutes realize they are not alone.”
of Health. Physical and occupational FIGHTING SIDE BY SIDE
therapy can help patients control their —Jennifer Peth, MSOTR/LC/NDT, occupational
symptoms. Jennifer Peth, MSOTR/LC/NDT, therapist at Navicent Health
occupational therapist at Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Hospital, Navicent Health, says that Rock Steady Boxing classes are available
Health offers several therapy services in addition to managing Parkinson’s on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
to patients with Parkinson’s disease. disease symptoms, Rock Steady Boxing
However, one of the things that makes also gives patients a place to make mornings at 10:30 a.m., and Monday and
Rock Steady Boxing different is that, friends while learning a new skill. Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at Macon-
instead of a therapy program, it is both
a therapy program and a tried-and-true “It’s a great community,” she says. Bibb United Boxing and Conditioning
boxing workout. The class is led by a “The coach calls them his Rock Steady Club, 3301 Roff Ave., in Macon.
coach with boxing experience. Boxing family. ”
Participants must have a physician’s
“Boxers have to be aware of things For those with Parkinson’s disease, a clearance and physical therapist
like hand-eye coordination and motor sense of community can be especially
skills,” says Patrick Anderson, boxing encouraging. evaluation before beginning. Email
coach with Rock Steady Macon- navicentmaconbibb@rsbaffiliate.com for
Bibb Navicent Health. “Patients with “When someone is diagnosed with
Parkinson’s disease tend to lose those, Parkinson’s disease, they may feel like more information.
but boxing helps build them again.” they have to manage their symptoms
on their own,” Peth says. “We want to
Boxing helps Parkinson’s disease show people that’s not the case. Several
symptoms become easier to manage. resources are available at Rehabilitation
Many patients notice big changes in Hospital, Navicent Health that will help
them stay healthy.”
6 navicenthealth.org | FALL 2019