Reving up for National Physical Therapy Month

Okay, time for another plug for the PT program at NAU, and physical therapy in general. I hope to see lots of people (that includes those preparing for half marathons next year in Phoenix... hint, hint) come out for the 5k walk/run our program is organizing this October. The idea is to raise money that will be funneled into a scholarship fund to help those with Parkinson Disease (PD) participate in physical therapy.

Did you know that regular exercise and physical therapy can actually help neurons (nerve cells) build more connections? This helps a lot for those with PD, especially in allowing them to move with less limitations. Historically the role of exercise has been downplayed in slowing the progression of PD, in favor of pharmaceuticals, but recently we have learned that exercise can be extremely beneficial in preserving quality of life for those with PD. The walk/run will be a ton of fun; there will be race t-shirts, snacks, and even prizes for more serious competitors.

Keep those eyes and ears open for more as October draws nearer; suggestions to make the event a success are always appreciated! For more information on Parkinson Disease, check out the National Parkinson Foundation website at www.parkinson.org.