DOCTORS OF INTEREST
The FIGHTING NEUROLOGIST
Dr. S. James Shafer has made progress for Parkinson’s disease patients with the art of boxing. It helps them have more control over their lives, physically
and emotionally. Working out this way seems to be working out well for these patients.
“Fight back” is often the advice Parkinson’s disease
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patients hear from Dr. S. James Shafer. “Literally
fight back,” the effervescent neurologist calls out
to them as they work out, punching a stationary bag in the
Rock Steady Boxing program at the House of Champions
gym in Vero Beach.
“The harder and faster you punch, the more benefit you’ll
receive!” says Shafer.
About 20 patients in different stages of the disease show up
at the club three days a week to exercise with their unconventional
doctor. Some add fancy footwork to their punches, others
throw their jabs from a stationary stance and a few pummel
from a seated position. “Boxing allows patients to have some
control of their life, both physically and emotionally,” Shafer
explains. “The rigorous exercise pushes them beyond their
limits and helps them maintain their functionality. By focusing
on balance and speed, they push beyond the feeling of helplessness
and help themselves maintain more functionality.”
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder
that causes deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech
and sensory function. Studies have shown that these losses
PHIL REID PHOTOS
are the very same motor skills that boxers train to improve.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, there are
more than a million people in the U.S. suffering from the
disease with more than 60,000 people diagnosed each year.
Rock Steady is the first program in the country dedicated to
the fight against the debilitating disease.
The Rock Steady Boxing program was founded in 2006
by former Indiana Prosecutor Scott C. Newman. Newman,
who was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s when he
was only 40, started boxing workouts and noticed dramatic
improvement in his daily functioning. Rock Steady created
a program to meet fitness levels at all stages of Parkinson’s,
and today there are more than 600 worldwide affiliates serving
3,600 patients.
Gus and Macy Curren opened the House of Champions
gym 22 years ago and became certified as Rock Steady
instructors about a year and a half ago. They immediately
contacted Shafer and approached him with their program.
Shafer, a fitness buff himself, was familiar with the method
and immediately jumped on board. “Most people equate
boxing with the cause of the disease and certainly not with
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BY KERRY FIRTH
Treasure Coast Medical Report