Living with Parkinson’s and Finding Strength in Movement

More than 1 million people in the U.S. live with Parkinson’s disease (PD). For some, structured exercise—like martial arts—has become an important way to manage both physical and mental health challenges. Phil Churchill, a 49-year-old from the UK, shared that practicing and teaching martial arts helps him stay focused and cope with daily symptoms. Why Martial Arts May Help Experts say martial arts and similar activities could play a valuable role in Parkinson’s care. Balance and stability: Tai chi and other forms of martial arts have been shown to reduce falls and improve motor control. Mind-body connection: Martial arts challenge both physical and cognitive skills, such as sequencing, reaction time, and spatial awareness. This may support cognitive reserve and slow some aspects of decline. The Role of Exercise in Parkinson’s While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, research shows that exercise helps slow disease progression and improves quality of life. People who began exercising earlier in their PD journey and kept up at least 2.5 hours of activity per week experienced a slower decline in daily functioning. Exercise can also support mobility, flexibility, balance, and help manage non-motor symptoms such as depression and constipation. Recommended Exercise Guidelines The Parkinson’s Foundation and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend: Aerobic activity: Moderate to vigorous exercise, 3 days per week for at least 30 minutes. Strength training: 2–3 nonconsecutive days per week for major muscle groups. Stretching: At least 2–3 days per week. Balance and agility training: Activities like yoga, tai chi, or boxing, 2–3 days per week, with daily practice when possible. A Takeaway For people with PD, staying active is more than exercise—it’s a way to maintain independence, strengthen both body and mind, and improve overall well-being. As Phil Churchill put it, teaching martial arts helps him focus less on his symptoms and more on what he can achieve each day.