Lehigh Med Summer 2019 - 13

L C M E D S O C .O R G

ach year, about 60,000 people in the United States are diagnosed
with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disease that has
no cure. About 10 million people worldwide - including an
estimated 1 million Americans - are currently diagnosed and
living with the disease.

Its cause remains unknown. The disease's symptoms include
shaking or tremors while at rest, shuffling gait, balance instability,
slowed movements and stiff or rigid arms, legs or trunk. Aside from
the physical symptoms, a Parkinson's diagnosis can lead to feelings
of isolation. Those diagnosed can fear being seen in public because
of their physical symptoms. Or, they are worried about falling.
Research shows that high intensity, whole-body exercise like
boxing can slow the disease's progression, lessen the symptoms, pull
people out of their comfort zone and offer a fun, social, team-like
setting. The very nature of non-contact boxing, which has been
identified as one of the world's most well-rounded exercises, offers
Parkinson's patients a challenging workout to help with:

Balance
Walking for distance
Strength training
Hand-eye coordination
Core
Stretching
Non-contact boxing covers a variety of activities or exercises that
can be more challenging for someone diagnosed with Parkinson's,
such as putting on and using gloves, hitting a variety of targets
or performing calisthenics. Boxing also can help with practicing
large, sweeping, exaggerated movements in arms and legs. This is
helpful to those who suffer from Parkinson's since they often make
smaller, inward movements with their hands, arms, legs and feet
due to fear of falling.
Other boxing training methods include using a Hula hoop to
address potential back stiffness commonly associated with Parkinson's
disease. When the Hula hoop falls to the floor, it's an effective way
to practice picking items up. Also, boxers learn how to fall properly
using techniques that can help prevent serious injury.
Since 2016, individuals with Parkinson's disease have participated
in Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network's twice-a-week boxing
program, which follows the teachings of the U.S.-based Rock Steady
Program. Patients must be referred and screened for participation
in the program for safety and baseline measurements. Workouts

are tailored to each participant's needs, whether they're fairly independent or require wheelchair assistance. Rock Steady-certified
coaches share workout ideas on an internet message board to keep
exercises fresh, challenging and impactful.
Aside from positive outcomes in walking speed, reaction time and
other measurements, a boxing workout provides other benefits to
Parkinson's patients. For one, exercising in a group creates a strong
sense of camaraderie, which can chip away at those feelings of
isolation. People get out, get moving and they enjoy it. The activity
leads to positive attitudes, which also play a key role in continuing
to slow the disease's progression.
Thanks to exercise programs like boxing, patients can feel
like they control Parkinson's disease, rather than the other
way around.
Dori Billowitch, PTA, works in outpatient neurorehabilitation at Good Shepherd's Health
& Technology Center in Allentown, and is coordinator of Good Shepherd's Rock Steady
Boxing program. She specializes in caring for patients who have suffered or are suffering from
a neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke and spinal
cord injury.

INDUSTRYLEADING
INDIVIDUAL
DISABILITY
INCOME
COVERAGE
DESIGNED
JUST FOR
PHYSICIANS

G.A. Legg and Associates
5100 Tilghman St. #255 | Allentown | 610 .395.8516
leggassetmanagement.com | legggal@ptd.net
Serving Physicians in Lehigh Valley for over 50 years
10% TO 25% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR OFFICE
SUMMER 2019 | Lehigh County Health & Medicine 13

http://www.LCMEDSOC.ORG http://www.leggassetmanagement.com

Lehigh Med Summer 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Lehigh Med Summer 2019