{"id":346791,"date":"2025-12-15T13:33:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T13:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/346791\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T13:33:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T13:33:09","slug":"parkinsons-is-on-the-rise-in-the-sacramento-valley-dancing-and-boxing-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/346791\/","title":{"rendered":"Parkinson’s Is on the Rise in the Sacramento Valley. Dancing and Boxing Can Help"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

This story is part of our December 2025 issue. To read the print version, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n


\n
\n <\/p>\n

\n Steven Tincher\u2019s body stiffens when he sits for too long. He may
\n need assistance standing and securing his mobile phone in a
\n pocket of his cargo pants. He may need help with the twist-top on
\n the small metal vial containing the medication he takes every two
\n and a half hours.\n<\/p>\n

\n But relief can occur quickly. Like a boxer warming up while
\n entering a ring for a match, when Tincher rises, he periodically
\n unleashes a few quick air thrusts, sometimes with one arm,
\n sometimes both. A retired financial analyst and computer systems
\n integrator, Tincher is a three-year participant in the Rock
\n Steady Boxing program in West Sacramento. He doesn\u2019t have
\n athletic career aspirations, but the 74-year-old Sacramentan
\n studied martial arts for many years.\n<\/p>\n

\n He was also diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s disease five years ago.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cI go into what\u2019s called an \u2018off\u2019 stage; it\u2019s tightness all
\n over,\u201d says Tincher, whose rapid-fire repeats are kung
\n fu-oriented movements. \u201cMy hands curl, the tremors start up. I
\n try to loosen that up. My limbs become stiffer; my whole body
\n becomes stiffer. I am just trying anything to break that loose.
\n Sometimes, it works; sometimes it doesn\u2019t.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n The Rock Steady program is among the region\u2019s more than 40
\n Parkinson\u2019s disease care resource programs, including several
\n additional international exercise organizations, such as Dance
\n for Parkinson\u2019s. It\u2019s also one component of the Sacramento
\n region\u2019s reputation as a national hub for medical, mental, social
\n and technological innovation to combat Parkinson\u2019s disease.\n<\/p>\n

\n In the competitive health care business environment, the Capital
\n Region\u2019s major organizations\u00a0 \u2014 Dignity Health, Kaiser
\n Permanente, Sutter Health, UC Davis Health and Veterans Affairs
\n health care \u2014 collaborate with the Parkinson Association of
\n Northern California, or PANC. The objective is to increase
\n awareness in the medical and public communities.\n<\/p>\n

The rising prevalence of Parkinson\u2019s<\/p>\n

\n Established in 1996 and headquartered in Folsom, PANC is among
\n the country\u2019s most prominent independent organizations focused on
\n movement disorders. It includes physicians, physical therapists,
\n speech pathologists, social workers and other providers.\n<\/p>\n

\n It started about the same time Dr. Suketu Khandhar, a neurologist
\n and the longtime medical director of Kaiser Permanente\u2019s
\n Comprehensive Movement Disorders Program, orchestrated a meeting
\n at an international conference with Dr. Norika Malhado-Chang of
\n UC Davis and Dr. Nicklesh Thakur, an osteopathic specialist with
\n Sutter Health. Movement disorder specialists were few.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Steven Tincher, a retired financial analyst and computer systems
\n integrator, has participated in the Rock Steady boxing program in
\n West Sacramento the past three years. The movement helps with his
\n Parkinson\u2019s. (Photo by Fred Greaves)\n<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were all new to the business and new
\n to Sacramento,\u201d says Khandhar. \u201cIt was not just sharing our
\n knowledge from what we had learned in our fellowships, but
\n sharing what processes work best for some of the same things all
\n of our patients experience within each of our institutions.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt was to learn from each other and to be able to discuss new
\n treatments and technologies, and then to be able to have
\n representation from the Parkinson Foundation present to witness
\n the conversation and be part of the dialogue.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Malhado-Chang and Dr. Lin Zhang, also a neurologist, now
\n co-direct the UC Davis Health Parkinson\u2019s Foundation Center of
\n Excellence.\n<\/p>\n

\n It opened in Midtown Sacramento in January 2024 as the region\u2019s
\n first Parkinson\u2019s disease multidisciplinary clinic. The group
\n from the five health care systems calls its quarterly meetings
\n Journal Club. With PANC representation, the collective examines
\n the increasing prevalence of the disease.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cWe talk about new treatments, and we invite the industry to come
\n and kind of share if there is something new, if they are a
\n sponsor,\u201d says Khandhar. \u201cIt\u2019s really been (that way) for the
\n past 15-plus years. It gives us an opportunity to grow together.
\n It\u2019s given us an opportunity to share. It\u2019s allowed us to convey
\n to our constituents, whether it\u2019s PANC or our own patients.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a0Move Your Body:
\n New approaches to physical therapy take a swing at Parkinson\u2019s
\n disease<\/a><\/p>\n

\n More than 1 million people in the United States and an estimated
\n 10 million globally have Parkinson\u2019s disease, according to
\n Harvard Medical School. Some experts believe the number will
\n double by 2040.\n<\/p>\n

\n That predicted statistic is difficult to quantify, says Khandhar,
\n but he believes there are three reasons for increased diagnoses:
\n an aging population, exposure to toxic substances in our
\n environment and more knowledge among non-neurologist physicians
\n who recognize Parkinson\u2019s symptoms.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cMany of us believe that Parkinson\u2019s can be triggered by exposure
\n to harsh chemicals in our environment, maybe the water you drink,
\n maybe certain kinds of pesticides and herbicides used in our
\n farming industry or on our military bases,\u201d says Khandhar.
\n \u201cUnfortunately, we are reliant on some of these things. And yet
\n this stuff seeps into our water, it seeps into our food, and it
\n may generate some sort of opportunity to breed the condition.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n California\u2019s vast Central Valley agricultural industry has the
\n dubious nickname \u201cParkinson\u2019s Alley.\u201d A 2011 UCLA study found
\n that Central Valley residents under the age of 60 who lived near
\n fields where the pesticides paraquat and maneb were used between
\n 1974 and 1999 had a Parkinson\u2019s rate five times higher than other
\n residents in the area.\n<\/p>\n

\n Boxer and activist Muhammad Ali, who died in 2016, and actor
\n Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed in 1991, publicly battled
\n Parkinson\u2019s and both established foundations to support research
\n and awareness. The icons\u2019 work put the disease in public focus.\n<\/p>\n

\n The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson\u2019s Research, which the
\n actor founded in 2000, has lobbied for a ban on agricultural
\n pesticides. The actor\u2019s prominence and willingness to share his
\n personal life, including in the 2023 Netflix documentary \u201cStill:
\n A Michael J. Fox Movie,\u201d have generated increased public
\n awareness.\n<\/p>\n

\n James Parkinson, for whom the disease is named, described its
\n symptoms in 1817 as \u201cinvoluntary tremulous motion, with lessened
\n muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a0When
\n the Sun Sets on the Golden Years: The hardship and high cost of
\n caring for a loved one in decline<\/a><\/p>\n

\n A modernized definition details Parkinson\u2019s disease as a
\n neurodegenerative disorder that causes a decline in motor skills,
\n balance, speech and sensory functions, eventually affecting the
\n autonomic nervous system.\n<\/p>\n

\n For Steven Tincher, symptoms vary, but they include a common
\n trait, the \u201cParkinson\u2019s stare.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cI\u2019m very sensitive to it; I\u2019ve learned that when I am out on the
\n street or in a public situation, to look people in the eye and
\n greet them,\u201d Tincher says. \u201cIt breaks the ice that I am not a
\n crazy guy because of a tremor or drugs or whatever people think
\n when they see you.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Moving toward a cure<\/p>\n

\n Dr. Khandhar cites numerous activities, from yoga to tai chi,
\n from boxing to tandem cycling, that incorporate large-amplitude
\n movement. A groups\u2019 sense of community and support are
\n invaluable.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIf you summarize the condition into one word, it would be the
\n word \u2018slow,\u2019\u201d says Khandhar. \u201cPatients get slower in their
\n activities, in their motor dexterity, in their mobility, in their
\n gait. So mobility becomes a cornerstone of treatment, of course,
\n along with medication and other interventions.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIf I introduced a type of exercise program to a patient who
\n absolutely hated it, even though I know it to be good for them,
\n they are not going to do it. I love the fact that there are so
\n many opportunities, and I think the Sacramento Valley in general
\n has been very open to trying different things. Maybe it\u2019s just
\n the culture of the area, I don\u2019t know. But it\u2019s great. If you
\n actually travel elsewhere in the country, it hasn\u2019t carried the
\n same level of opportunity and diversity.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Kathy Van Hoof, a former professional dancer with the Sacramento
\n Ballet and Capital City Ballet, has taught Dance for Parkinson\u2019s
\n classes for 14 years. The program, which began in New York more
\n than 20 years ago, has more than 450 outlets. With colleagues
\n Elaine Silver Melia and Lisa Ferrin, Van Hoof conducts the free
\n weekly classes at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts & Community in
\n Sacramento. The one-hour sessions are also available virtually.\n<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Kathy Van Hoof, a former dancer with the Sacramento Ballet, has
\n taught Dance for Parkinson\u2019s the past 14 years in Sacramento.
\n (Photo by Fred Greaves)\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt\u2019s just become much more obvious how important movement is,\u201d
\n says Van Hoof. \u201cDance has sort of this special element to it
\n because it\u2019s deliberate movement. You are deliberately moving to
\n the music, so there\u2019s that cerebral element to it, too. It\u2019s not
\n that the other (exercise) programs don\u2019t, but dance has a certain
\n intention.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cPeople come, and they are hesitant. They say, \u2018Oh, I can\u2019t
\n dance, I can\u2019t do this.\u2019 But they keep coming back. That\u2019s the
\n litmus test. People say, \u2018I didn\u2019t want to come, I\u2019m too tired.\u2019
\n But they say afterward, \u2018I feel better now.\u2019\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Rock Steady Boxing began in 2006 and now has more than 800 global
\n affiliates. It\u2019s headquartered in the United States but has
\n outlets in 17 countries, from South Korea to Norway to Ethiopia.
\n The concept was co-founded by former Indiana attorney Scott
\n Newman, a Parkinson\u2019s patient, and his friend Vince Perez, an
\n accomplished boxer. They believed non-contact boxing might be
\n neuroprotective and slow the disease\u2019s progression.\n<\/p>\n

\n Its classes are designed to improve balance and coordination for
\n patients with Parkinson\u2019s disease. Workouts incorporate quick and
\n repetitive punch combinations, stretching, core workouts, hitting
\n heavy bags, circuit weight training and resistance training.
\n Participants wear boxing gloves but don\u2019t face opponents or enter
\n a ring.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt gives me some cardio; it works with my limitations,\u201d says
\n Tincher, who resides in an independent living community. \u201cBut it
\n also gives me a social environment where I am constantly in
\n contact with other Parkinson\u2019s patients. We compare notes and
\n tell stories. Sometimes, they\u2019re about grandkids, sometimes
\n they\u2019re about Parkinson\u2019s.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Tincher also began a gene therapy clinical trial program in
\n Southern California last May. He travels often for tests and
\n treatments that include spinal taps. He will be monitored for
\n five years.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt\u2019s called a study, but it\u2019s an experimental gene-editing
\n program,\u201d Tincher says of the Prevail Therapeutics program.
\n \u201cThey\u2019re trying to modify a gene which they think is related to
\n about 12 to 15 percent of Parkinson\u2019s patients. Theoretically, it
\n can stop the progression of Parkinson\u2019s or even cure it. We will
\n see if it happens.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Representatives from all regional health care systems, sponsors
\n and exhibitors were among the 900 attendees at the recent PANC
\n Annual Education Conference in Roseville. The motto for the
\n day-long series of seminars, panel discussions and presentations
\n was \u201cAttitude Is Everything: Strategies for Success.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Actor Ryan Reynolds and Dr. Suketu Khandhar, a movement disorder
\n specialist for Kaiser Permanente, at a national conference for
\n the Parkinson Association of Northern California in Roseville in
\n October. (Photo by Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n Harry Starkey of Sacramento, president of PANC\u2019s board of
\n directors and a Parkinson\u2019s patient, offered opening remarks and
\n led a talk on a respite caregivers funding program.\n<\/p>\n

\n Will Newby of Rune Labs in San Francisco discussed StrivePD, an
\n iPhone and Apple Watch app Parkinson\u2019s patients can use to track
\n motor symptoms such as tremors and dyskinesia (uncontrolled
\n movements), along with daily routines and treatment use.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt\u2019s a compassionate community,\u201d says Starkey, diagnosed with
\n Parkinson\u2019s two years ago. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of a blessing I didn\u2019t
\n want. But I am just daily inspired by the cooperation in this
\n community.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n Starkey is also committed to the Neptune Project. It honors
\n French sailor Bertrand Delhom, the first sailor with Parkinson\u2019s
\n to complete a round-the-world race in 2024. A benefit regatta and
\n sailing program for Parkinson\u2019s patients is planned in San
\n Francisco in early 2026.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cThe sailing idea is unique,\u201d says Khandhar. \u201cYou always think of
\n Parkinson\u2019s patients potentially being off balance. When we
\n compare or make an example of someone being off balance, we ask,
\n \u2018Do you feel like you are rocking on a boat?\u2019 I am very curious
\n and excited about a sailing program for patients and for those
\n advocating for those with Parkinson\u2019s.\n<\/p>\n

\n \u201cMaybe we have self-defined and in turn, self-restricted what
\n patients can or cannot do. And maybe we need to break those
\n barriers. Maybe if a Parkinson\u2019s patient can go on a sailboat,
\n feel happy, get the wind in their face, do something they love,
\n be out of water, and feel free, then great. More power to them.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n \u2013\n<\/p>\n

\n Stay up to date on business in the Capital Region:
\n Subscribe to the Comstock\u2019s newsletter
\n today.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This story is part of our December 2025 issue. To read the print version, click here. …\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":346792,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[447],"tags":[703,49,48,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-346791","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-boxing","8":"tag-boxing","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346791"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346791\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/346792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}