Ellen H. went without treatment for her Parkinson’s disease for 10 years following her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, partly due to physicians not recognizing the incredible benefits physical therapy can have for individuals with the disease.
In June 2015, Ellen first came to The Recovery Project for physical therapy to help with symptoms like tripping over her feet, pain rolling out of bed and difficulty getting up from low and soft surfaces—all common symptoms experienced by Parkinson’s disease patients.
After the completion of her initial course of therapy, she enrolled in The Recovery Project’s Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery (PWR!) program, a moderate intensity workout designed to promote brain health in addition to physical fitness.
Since then, Ellen has continued a steady schedule of annual physical therapy and continuous participation in PWR! to keep her symptoms in check. She also recently enrolled in The Recovery Project’s Rock Steady Boxing program, which leverages adapted boxing drills aimed at strengthening a participant’s agility, motor skills and overall strength. For Ellen, along with countless others, Rock Steady Boxing has helped manage and slow the progression of her symptoms.
“I feel that coming to therapy and PWR! at The Recovery Project has helped me completely slow down my disease,” Ellen said. “My doctor even says that the exercises I am doing have been a huge part of why I am doing so well 12 years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
Compared to where she was two years ago, today, Ellen’s quality of life has vastly improved thanks to her therapy and regular involvement in the wellness programs offered by The Recovery Project for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
