Antigo, Wis (WJFW) – Parkinson’s is one of the most common but dreadful diseases affecting older people. But one Northwoods group is looking to combat the effects of Parkinson’s.
Amanda Trieloff is a physical therapist and head coach of the Rock Steady Boxing Group in Antigo, Wisconsin. Rock Steady is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis that holds non-contact boxing groups around the world for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Trieloff said “Boxing itself is considered one of the most intense sports that there is. The difference is instead of focusing on that protecting your face and rounding, we actually coach staying tall so we want to reverse those symptoms. And we’re not boxing each other, it’s non-contact boxing.”
Even doing basic exercises like hitting punching bags and calf raises have been proven to slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
One volunteer, Beth Lindner, says she has seen process in the participants. Saying “I’ve seen the progress in the disease but I’ve also seen the progress in the participants how they do gain strength and balance.”
One Participant of Rock Steady, Allen Worland say being a part of a group with others that have Parkinson’s feels very welcoming. Worland said “I like the comradery because you’re not alone”
Trieloff says the group feels like a family to her and loves that it fills people with hope that they can overcome their disease. Trieloff and the Langlade County Senior Center hold free Rock Steady classes for anyone with Parkinson’s every Tuesday and Friday.