Marian Regional Medical Center Takes Proactive Approach to Fighting Parkinson’s Disease with Neuroboxing Classes

Unique fitness classes have proven to reduce, reverse, and delay symptoms of the disease

SANTA MARIA, CA – April 9, 2018 – In recognition of April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC) announces that it is proactively fighting the effects of Parkinson’s Disease with unique Neuroboxing Classes. Neuroboxing enables individuals with Parkinson’s to fight their disease by providing non-contact boxing style fitness programs to improve their quality of life, sense of efficiency, and self-worth. 

Recent studies suggest that intense exercise may actually work to delay the progression of symptoms, which may include tremor, slowness of movements, limb rigidity, and gait and balance problems. Neuroboxing provides encouragement in a group setting, which inspires maximum effort, speed, strength, balance, and flexibility from participants. The classes have proven that anyone, at any level of Parkinson’s, can lessen their symptoms and lead a healthier and happier life.

Training classes are taught by Certified Personal Trainer and Rock Steady Boxing and Neuroboxing Certified Trainer, April Sargeant, and are held Mondays at 10:30a.m., Wednesdays at 1:30p.m., and Fridays at 1:30p.m. at 116 South Palisades, Suite 304, Santa Maria. There is a small fee for each class.  

Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, balance, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. With Neuroboxing, the opponent is Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s causes a loss in many of the same elements that boxers condition to improve. Published medical research has shown that forced, intense exercise can reduce, reverse and delay Parkinson’s symptoms. We also know that a diversity of symptoms needs to be addressed simultaneously. 

Each boxing class includes an exercise program that attacks Parkinson’s at its vulnerable neurological points. Training focuses on overall fitness, strength training, reaction time, and balance. No boxing experience is necessary and people of all ages and levels are invited to participate.

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About Marian Regional Medical Center
Marian Regional Medical Center, located in Santa Maria, California, is a technologically advanced, 191-bed facility that provides safe, quality care to the communities it serves.  Marian has been a recipient of the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence for four consecutive years, and was also named among the Top 10% in the Nation for Critical Care by Healthgrades. Marian is designated a STEMI Receiving Center in Santa Barbara County, and is designated a Level III Trauma Center by Santa Barbara County’s Emergency Medical Services Agency. The facility has achieved prestigious designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission for advanced, comprehensive care for stroke patients. Our cancer care program is accredited as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, and is one of only three programs between Los Angeles and San Francisco to receive an Outstanding Achievement Award. The campus houses the most comprehensive perinatology/ neonatology program on the Central Coast, providing specialized care to the tiniest of patients. Marian is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, which also includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, CA, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, CA, and St. John’s Pleasant Valley in Camarillo, CA. Dignity Health of the Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service.  Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.