CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1498193
26 May 2023 HEALTH Fighting back Parkinson's patients are throwing punches at the disease in the Rock Steady Boxing program that builds strength, eases movement and boosts confidence for those determined to stay active. BY JAMI MCL AUGHLIN P eople living with Parkinson's disease are packing punches as part of the Rock Steady Boxing program at Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex. Launched in December and held three times a week, the nationally known program helps Parkinson's patients with balance, movement, tremors and even voice activation. Since its launch, participation has tripled, and results are already being seen, according to patients and their doctors. Martha Vallery, 68, was one of the first to join the boxing program aer her initial diagnosis. At first, she barely recognized the symptoms, although she started to suspect something was amiss when her handwriting began to look cramped. "I used to have good handwriting, and it started almost disappearing. It became illegible," says Vallery. She noticed that despite being active and an avid runner, she was having trouble getting up and down. "I've been active my whole life and have always exercised," says Vallery. "It was a change in my normal routine to not be able to get up from sitting like I always had." When she noticed some drooling, she took her concerns to her primary care physician and was referred to Hardik Doshi, M.D., a neurologist at Cape Fear Valley Health. In November, Doshi diagnosed her with Parkinson's disease, a chronic and progressive condition that attacks the part of Martha Vallery, 68, was one of the first to join the boxing program after her initial Parkinson's diagnosis. The Rock Steady Boxing program uses noncombat techniques to improve strength and agility and can also help slow progression of Parkinson's.