Tai chi helping Parkinson's patients regain balance

NEWNAN — Tai chi is becoming a new favorite exercise among Parkinson's patients like Larry Bergeson of Newnan.

"I've had two trial lessons," he said. "Tai chi is great for learning movement and balance. As a person affected by Parkinson's disease, both movement and balance become more difficult as the disease progresses."

Bergeson also heads up the local Parkinson's support group. He invited Trish Gurney, a therapist with the First Hands organization of Peachtree City and tai chi teacher, to lead an exercise class during one of the support group's meetings.

"The great thing about tai chi is it can be done standing, holding onto a chair or sitting," Gurney explained. "A lot of people with Parkinson's disease lose control of balance in their lower extremities. Tai chi teaches them to move from their center of gravity which is three fingers below the belly button. It brings their focus down, helps them align their bodies in a straight line and gives them good posture.

According to Gurney, Parkinson's patients who take tai chi classes for at least a year have less tendency to fall.

Falling to the ground can be just one outcome for patients with Parkinson's disease.

According to the Parkinson's Foundation website, the disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that predominantly affects dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain.

Around 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, according to www.parkinsonassociation.org.