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Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s sufferers now offered in Napa

By Times-Herald staff report  -  03/12/18




Napa >> Parkinson’s patients will have a new training program starting March 19, at Queen of the Valley’s Wellness Center’s Synergy Medical Fitness Center, hospital officials announced.
Rock Steady Boxing, a unique exercise program, based on training used by professional boxers and adapted to people with Parkinson’s, will be available at Queen to men and women of all ages and levels of ability who have been diagnosed with the disease, they said. 
“We are fortunate to be able to bring Rock Steady Boxing to individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s in Napa County,” said Pamela Contos, Program Manager at Synergy Medical Fitness Center. “We are very thankful to donors, JoAnne DePuy, Jim Maggetti and Ed and Karen Ulshafer. Their contributions to Queen of the Valley Foundation made it possible for us to offer this program.”
The program’s founder is former Marion County (Indiana) Prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, who was diagnosed at age 40, officials said. He began intense, one-on-one boxing a few years after his diagnosis and witnessed dramatic improvement in his physical health, agility and daily functioning, they said. In 2012, the Rock Steady Boxing Method went global. An estimated 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, and today, there are 513 Rock Steady affiliate programs worldwide. 
“When evidence began to emerge that our program had a very positive impact on the ‘boxers,’ our mission became clear — to share our knowledge and experience with all people with Parkinson’s,” Rock Steady Boxing, Inc. Executive Director, Joyce Johnson said. 
The program is led by trained coaches, and involves exercises, like stretching, bicycling, running, jump-roping, push-ups, balancing and lots of non-contact boxing, he said. Academic institutions, like University of Indianapolis and Butler University, are reporting and documenting improved quality of life among Rock Steady Boxers, and while discovery of a cure may be years away, there is evidence that progress in terms of strength, flexibility and speed, is made by those participating in the Rock Steady Boxing program, regardless of the stages of the disease, officials said.
The program’s cost is $120 for Synergy members; $200 for non-members with a one-time assessment fee of $50 (which includes an assessment, boxing gloves, hand wraps, and a Rock Steady Boxing jersey). There are eight classes included in each session.
Demos will take place during a free, open house launch party from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday at Synergy Medical Fitness Center, where community members are welcome.
For more information, visit www.synergymedical.rsbaffiliate.com. To sign up for a class, contact them by email at synergymedical@rsbaffiliate.com. More information about Rock Steady Boxing Inc. and Parkinson’s disease is available at www.rocksteadyboxing.org.
Queen of the Valley Medical Center opened its Wellness Center in 2006. It’s home to Outpatient Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy, as well as Synergy Medical Fitness Center, Rosen Method Practitioners, nutritional counselors, and others who provide a holistic approach to health and wellness.

http://www.timesheraldonline.com/business/20180312/rock-steady-boxing-for-parkinsons-sufferers-now-offered-in-napa

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