Boxing battles Parkinson’s Disease

Nathan Silva 4 Comments

An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease. Each year, 60 thousand Americans become diagnosed with PD, according to PDF.  PD involves the malfunctions and death of nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. The symptoms continue and unfortunately worsen overtime. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine. It’s a chemical that send messages to the brain that controls movements and coordination.  PD is the most common movement disorder and there is no current cure.

Unfortunately many well-known athletes suffer from the disease. Muhammad Ali became diagnosed just three years after announcing his retirement in 1984. Brian Grant, an NBA superstar played for 12 seasons before becoming diagnosed. Ben Petrick, an MLB superstar was struck with the disease in 2000 but played an additional four years before retiring.

Ali, philanthropist Jimmy Walker, and Abraham Lieberman, MD, established the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. The center works with patients, provides education and outreach opportunities to spread awareness.

Now, boxing is becoming popular and beneficial in the Parkinson’s community.

Rock Steady Boxing is a nonprofit gym located in Indianapolis. They’re the frontiers of battling this horrid disease through concentrated boxing exercises. They offer boxing classes targeted for the Parkinson’s community. The classes proved that anyone can lessen their condition and live a healthier lifestyle. Rock Steady Boxing’s training is spreading nationwide.

“You treat them like fighters because that’s what they’re doing,” said Steve Arintok, Rock Steady Boxing trainer.

 

 

Comments 4

  1. Good point….I believe one of the biggest mistakes society make is calling us disabled or impaired….we are differently abled…and our strength lies in the senses we use which people very often neglect.Nina Falaise.

  2. Valuable info. Fortunate I discovered your site by chance, and I’m shocked why this coincidence did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.

  3. In April of last year, i started on natural parkinsons disease herbal treatments from RICH HERBS FOUNDATION, i am happy to report this PD herbal treatment worked very effectively. My parkinson is totally under control, i had a total decline in symptoms, the tremors, shaking, stiffness, congnition and speech problems stopped. Visit rich herbs foundation official web page ww w. richherbsfoundation. c om. My family are amazed at the change and rapid recovery from parkinsons disease.

  4. I stopped most of my Parkinson’s disease medications due to severe side effects and I started on herbal treatments from Natural Herbs Centre (naturalherbscentre. com), the treatment has made a very huge difference for me. My symptoms including body weakness and Swallowing difficulties disappeared after few months on the treatment. I am getting active again since starting this treatment.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *