Genesis to host Parkinson’s training event

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Zanesville’s local Parkinson’s group is shaking up the way they manage the disease and want to share that method with the community.

All Shook Up has teamed up with Genesis Healthcare Systems to host a Parkinson’s disease basic training event. The event will showcase therapeutic exercise techniques with other individuals who suffer from the disease and their families.

“There’s a lot of research going on that exercise is changing the brain, changes the neuroplasticity of it. I’ve been working with this group of Parkinson’s folks in this area for about five years and I can honestly say that they haven’t gotten worse in their symptoms, in fact, some of them have gotten better,” said Rhonda Forrestal, physical therapist at Genesis Hospital.

The event will take place Saturday, September 30th from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Genesis Healthplex on Maple Avenue. In addition to education sessions from doctors and nurses, there will also be demonstrations of the exercises used for symptom management.

“We’re going to have some breakout sessions for the people with Parkinson’s where they can experience some of the different types of exercises that are available. They’ll be able to kind of get a sample of the rock steady boxing method, delay the disease and tai chi,” said Forrestal.

The program is free but is limited to 100 participants. For more information or to register, call (740) 455-5151.