Rock Steady Boxing Helps Patients Fight Parkinson’s Disease

Rock Steady Boxing at Bryan LifePointe Campus is helping patients with Parkinson’s fight the disease by improving mobility and overall quality of life. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

“A patient’s coordination and speech go away with Parkinson’s disease,” said Nicole Morton, head coach of Rock Steady Boxing at Bryan LifePointe Campus. “If we combat that with exercise, they see a delay in the disease. That’s exactly what we want to do with this program.”

Rock Steady Boxing is a medical exercise program specifically for those with Parkinson’s. Sessions help patients increase strength, flexibility, speed and balance by using boxing motions that move the body in all directions. Each station also incorporates exercises to strengthen the brain while performing physical tasks.

The program is open to Parkinson’s patients of all abilities and mobilities. Level one and two boxers have less evident symptoms and more experience with physical activity. Level three and four individuals have more pronounced symptoms and minimal athletic background.

Diane Kacvinsky was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over a decade ago. In 2015, she underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a procedure that uses implanted electrodes and electrical stimulation in the brain to treat movement disorders.

Kacvinsky’s surgery was a success. It lessened her symptoms and allowed her to exercise and be active on a consistent basis. In 2022, she joined Rock Steady Boxing at Bryan LifePointe Campus. She says the program is a must for the rest of her life because it’s had such a positive impact on her physical and mental well-being.

“I’m capable of beating this disease. It is not going to get the best of me,” Kacvinsky said.

Bryan LifePointe Campus is the only facility in Lincoln to offer Rock Steady Boxing. Sessions take place five days a week and last one hour. The program is proven to help patients lessen symptoms and lead a higher quality of life.

For more information on Rock Steady Boxing, visit bryanlifepointe.com.