St. Luke’s holding “Polka for Parkinson’s” dance at Musikfest Cafe

THE MORNING CALL |APR 05, 2019

St. Luke’s University Health Network is sponsoring “Polka for Parkinson’s,” an afternoon of fun, camaraderie, education and healing for people with Parkinson’s disease and their families.

The dance, which runs from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at ArtsQuest’s Musikfest Cafe, features old world polka music and waltzes, as well as appearances by Button Box Committee and famed accordion player Walt Groller. It has been held annually in April since 2013, in observance of Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.

Polka-dancing can reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the neurological brain disorder, St. Luke’s said in a news release.

“Movement in general, staying active, can have a huge impact on a patient with Parkinson,” Dr. Aaron Lasker, a neurologist and medical director of St. Luke’s Movement Disorders Center, said in the release.

“It can actually slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.”

Parkinson’s strikes mostly men, typically in their 60s and 70s, but can occur at younger ages, as was the case for actor Michael J. Fox, who has lived with the disease for nearly three decades after being diagnosed at age 29.

It occurs when nerve cells that produce dopamine are damaged or die, disrupting muscle movements, the release said. People with Parkinson’s may have limb tremors, and difficulty with walking, balance and speech. Symptoms get worse with time and there is no cure.

St. Luke’s also holds “Big and Loud” exercises classes, where patients with Parkinson’s can work out together; a monthly support group; and monthly patient education lectures.

Dance is a particularly good exercise for balance, enabling patients to practice forward and backward movement, and to work on symptoms such as freezing, which is when a person feels stuck in place.

Polka music provides cues which unblock freezing, the release said. Patients can use the beat with freezing episodes off the dance floor, too.

“I can certainly see the positive long-term effects in patients who incorporate dancing and exercise into their lives,” Dr. Nancy Diaz-Pechar, a movement disorder specialist at St. Luke’s, said in the release.

If interested in attending, St. Luke’s asks that you register at 1-866-785-8537. A $5 suggested donation will go to St. Luke’s Parkinson’s Disease Fund.

https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-stluke-polka-parkinson-20190405-6cjukas5e5egpgxrazmpqpnnja-story.html