KINSTON, N.C. \u2014 Some people living with Parkinson\u2019s disease are finding relief through boxing at UNC Health Lenoir\u2019s Minges Wellness Center. The Rock Steady Boxing class is helping participants manage their symptoms by focusing on the sport\u2019s fundamentals and physicality. <\/p>\n
\u201cI like the camaraderie that we get at Rock Steady Boxing,\u201d said Chet Harrison, a participant. \u201cIt\u2019s not just boxing the bag or boxing Alyssa. It\u2019s a group of us guys that have Parkinson\u2019s, and we\u2019re dealing with it the best we can.\u201d <\/p>\n
Harrison said the classes help him stay active and manage his condition. \u201cIt keeps me exercising, it keeps me moving, it keeps me stretching my joints and muscles,\u201d Harrison said. <\/p>\n
Alyssa Dunn, the class instructor, explained that the physical fundamentals of boxing benefit those with Parkinson\u2019s. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo pushing your chest forward while you\u2019re punching keeping a defensive position where your hands are here is helping you keep those muscles intact that, you know, don\u2019t get the work that they need,\u201d Dunn said. <\/p>\n
Dunn said Rock Steady Boxing was the perfect addition to the wellness center because it addresses many physical challenges faced by those with Parkinson\u2019s. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s working on picking up your feet, correcting your incorrect posture. It works on almost everything physically that is affected by Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Participants like Harrison appreciate the opportunity to learn new skills and combat the disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would put our hands out and go, Rock Steady! Fight back!\u2019 And that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing \u2014 we\u2019re fighting back,\u201d Harrison said.<\/p>\n
The information in this article was obtained by News10NBC from WITN, an NBC affiliate. The original article can be found here: Fighting Parkinson\u2019s one punch at a time, with Rock Steady Boxing in Kinston <\/a><\/p>\n