Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

NEW Rock Steady Boxing Program for Individual's Battling Parkinson's disease

  • Category: Therapy Services
  • Posted On:
  • Written By: Fienga, Caroline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE| 10-7-19
Caroline Fienga
Interactive Media & Public Relations Specialist
440-816-6723 (office)
216-299-7727 (cell)
cfienga@swgeneral.com

NEW Rock Steady Boxing Program for Individuals Battling Parkinson’s disease

Empowering individual’s with the disease to fight back

Middleburg Heights, OH (Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 ) – LifeWorks of Southwest General is now offering patients suffering from Parkinson ’s disease a new program called Rock Steady Boxing. Rock Steady Boxing is a national program designed to give hope to individuals with Parkinson’s disease by improving their quality of life through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum.

“The program is designed to help those battling Parkinson’s disease by lessening the physical as well as psychological effects and symptoms of the disease,” explains Karen Raisch-Siegel, director, LifeWorks of Southwest General.

Exercises are adapted from boxing drills, as boxers largely condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and to overcome opponents.

“Through the Rock Steady Program, Parkinson’s disease is the opponent,” says Raisch-Siegel. “Exercises vary in purpose and form but share one common trait: they are rigorous and intended to extend the perceived capabilities of the participant.”

Classes will begin at LifeWorks of Southwest General on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. Two programs will be offered:

  • Level 1 and 2 fighters: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m.
  • Level 3 and 4 fighters: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.

There is a monthly fee of $58 per fighter. This includes unlimited classes as well as full access to the LifeWorks facility, outside of classes.*

To get started, contact Karen Raisch-Siegel at 440-816-4210 or kraisch-siegel@swgeneral.com. All fighters are required to go through an assessment with boxing coach, Sarah Fox. The assessment will determine to which program level the fighter will be assigned. Assessments take about 30 minutes. All assessments, paperwork and a physician clearance are required prior to participation.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We will be accepting volunteers to assist our boxing coach during class times. If interested, please contact 440-816-4210.

*This fee is taxable. LifeWorks members are free.

About Southwest General

Southwest General is a private, not-for-profit, 350-bed acute care facility located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Founded in 1920, Southwest General is home to nationally recognized physicians with full access to state-of-the-art technology. Southwest General has a deep commitment to providing personalized care and building a healthy future for the patients, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit swgeneral.com or find Southwest General on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.