Stop Parkinson’s… at the GOLF COURSE?

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a sad news story about famed actor – and Parkinson’s disease sufferer – Michael J. Fox.

During a recent appearance for the reunion of the movie “Back to the Future”, Fox tripped and fell on stage.

He took the whole thing in stride and said that it’s “no secret that people with Parkinson’s fall.”

Fox hasn’t been shy about his bout with Parkinson’s – including stressing the importance of staying active to fight the disease.

If you – or someone you love – is battling Parkinson’s, I’ve got news on how heading to your local golf course can provide relief from Parkinson’s symptoms.

According to a study recently presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 73rd Annual Meeting, playing golf is better for the balance and mobility of Parkinson’s disease sufferers than doing tai chi – which is considered by many the most beneficial activity for folks with Parkinson’s.

Research has long suggested that physical activity is beneficial for folks with Parkinson’s.

But researchers now believe that golf could be the ‘gold standard’ of Parkinson’s-related exercise.

In fact, this latest study found that people who practiced their golf swing at a driving range were quicker and more mobile over the long haul that folks who just did tai chi.

That’s because golf helps improve balance, mobility, and spine rotation… all of which are affected by Parkinson’s.

Unlike other forms of exercise that are beneficial for Parkinson’s, golfing also requires slow and fast movements.

Researchers also like golf because people over the age of 55 tend to not only love it… they’re more apt to play regularly!

In fact, according to the neurologists leading the research into golf and Parkinson’s, folks are more likely to stick with it than other forms of exercise!

If you are already an avid golfer (regardless of skill level), stick with it!

And now that summer is in full swing (no pun intended), it’s a great time to take advantage of the sport’s benefits by heading to your local driving range.

Hitting a bucket of balls is a great way to stay active and mobile. And best of all, you DON’T have to worry about keeping score.

If you need help finding a driving range in your area, check out this handy search tool that will show you all the nearby places where you can hit balls.

To fighting Parkinson’s,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Wright, Tracy. “Michael J Fox rebounds after onstage stumble: ‘It’s no secret that people with Parkinson’s fall,’ rep says.” https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/michael-j-fox-rebounds-after-onstage-stumble-no-secret-people-with-parkinsons-fall-rep

Study Finds. “Golf a more effective therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients than tai chi.” https://studyfinds.org/golf-parkinsons-disease-tai-chi/