Boxing program helping people who have Parkinson’s disease

Nearly one million people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease. Patients are typically given medications or even surgery, but some doctors are adding another prescription – boxing.

Rock Steady Boxing, a non-profit organization based in Indiana, has developed a non-contact boxing curriculum for Parkinson’s patients around the world.

Small studies have found that boxing can help reduce falls, improve walking speed and endurance in Parkinson’s patients. It can also boost their mood.

In fact, a majority of Rock Steady boxers surveyed said that undergoing the curriculum helped improve their social lives, fatigue, depression and anxiety.