Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative, neurological disorder that affects the cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps initiate and control movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s include the following:
- Tremor, or trembling, in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
- Rigidity or stiffness
- Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement
- Postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination
Other associated symptoms can include:
- Depression, anxiety and other emotional changes
- Difficulty in swallowing, chewing and speaking
- Problems sleeping
- Cognitive impairment
- Low blood pressure
There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s. Treatments for the disease can help to alleviate the symptoms, but the disease continues to progress and symptoms can worsen. Treatments for the disease often work to increase or replace dopamine in the brain.
While the average age at onset is 60, Parkinson’s can occur in longer people. About one million people are living with Parkinson’s in the U.S. Parkinson’s affects everyone differently. The types and severity of symptoms and the rates of progression differ from person to person, making it incredibly important for patients to seek specific treatments for their own individual needs.
Sifu Robyn is certified by the Brian Grant Foundation in Exercise for Parkinson's. She was part of a wellness workshop series funded by the Parkinson's Foundation and is actively teaching and working with people who have Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological diseases. Robyn holds a fifth degree black belt in Shaolin Kenpo, and is the only woman in the United States certified to teach Jook Lum Ting Sing Qigong from the Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu system (Jook Lum Ting Sing Tong Long Pai). If you have questions, or would like to discuss any concerns you might have about joining these classes, please contact her at robyn@dragoncrane.org.