Parkinson’s patients are fighting back against their disease through boxing inside a Scottsdale gym.
Trainers at Edge Fitness use boxing to help Parkinson’s patients.
Trainer Nicole Greene says research has shown that boxing slows down the progression of the disease.
“It gets your mind going,” said Greene. “It increases your dopamine levels. It empowers you. It gets your right brain to talk to your left brain because you’re throwing both hands.”
Steve Shankman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about five years ago.
He’s been boxing for less than a year but he’s already seeing improvement with his tremors, movement and balance.
“You're trying to stay ahead of the disease,” said Shankman. “Sometimes when I box -- I forget I have Parkinson’s."
Greene says to achieve optimal results, it is best to attend three classes a week.
For more information on classes, click here.
