Boxing & Parkinson’s: Alternating Reciprocal Movement - Builds a Stronger Nervous System.(PRI)
- robertbrettschneid3
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Updated: May 10
Posture PRI
When passion meets purpose, something truly powerful unfolds. Undertaking Neuro-biology courses, I've always been captivated by the brain and nervous system, how the body functions, adapts, and heals continues to amaze me. This deep curiosity naturally steered me toward the fields of health, rehabilitation, human movement, physical therapy, and Postural Restoration (PRI). Boxing, too, has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. It's more than just a sport—it's a way of being, a form of expression. And when you begin to understand the brain as a prediction machine designed for movement, you start to see boxing in a whole new light. The alternating movement patterns, rhythm, and coordination required in boxing aren't just physically demanding, they're neurologically enriching, especially for individuals with conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Reciprocal Alternation in human movement and it's importance is not widely recognized, however, Postural Restoration "PRI", emphasizes this integral movement component for the brain's health and the body's functions, reciprocal alternating movement = more brain activity = better function.
Parkinson's doesn’t just affect how you move it touches nearly every part of how your brain and body communicate. And while medications help, there’s something incredibly powerful you can do with your own two hands and feet: move in rhythm, alternate your limbs, and breathe with intention.
Boxing for Parkinson’s isn’t just about exercise it’s about rewiring the brain. Every jab, step, or defensive move is an opportunity to reconnect lost pathways, challenge the mind, and stimulate new patterns.Structured rest periods support recovery and nervous system.
Neuroplasticity: Your Brain’s Secret Weapon
Let’s start with this: your brain can change.Even with a condition like Parkinson’s, your brain still has the ability to form new connections, strengthen existing ones, and build alternative neural pathways to support function. This amazing process is called neuroplasticity and it’s the key to improving movement, thinking, and emotional regulation in people living with Parkinson’s.
Neuroplasticity needs stimulation to happen. Repetitive, rhythmic, coordinated movement is one of the most powerful ways to wake up the brain and encourage rewiring.
Guess what checks all those boxes? Boxing.
The Power of Alternating Movement
Think about what happens in a boxing session: left jab, right cross. Left foot forward, right foot back. Step, duck, pivot. It’s all about alternating sides, coordinating the upper and lower body, and responding to rhythm.
These types of bilateral, patterned movements activate both hemispheres of the brain, stimulate neural networks across the motor cortex, and challenge areas responsible for coordination, timing, and proprioception (your body’s sense of where it is in space). This is incredibly beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, where these systems tend to degrade over time.
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) your body’s behind-the-scenes operator, controlling things like heart rate, digestion, temperature, and stress response. For many people with Parkinson’s, the ANS becomes dysregulated, leading to symptoms like:
-Dizziness or blood pressure drops
-Chronic fatigue
-Heat or cold sensitivity
-Digestive issues
-Poor sleep or anxiety
This is where boxing gets even more interesting. Because boxing combines intensity with rhythm, and activation with recovery, it trains the ANS to better adapt and self-regulate.
Breathwork between rounds activates the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branch.
Challenging drills activate the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) response just enough to build resilience, not overwhelm the system.
This back-and-forth creates a kind of “neural gym” for your ANS, improving flexibility, recovery, and internal balance.
This regulation often shows up as better energy levels, improved stress tolerance, smoother digestion, and more stable moods—all from moving intentionally, in rhythm, and with a little sweat.
To read more about PRI
Here is a link to an article by the ABC.
Gestalt Movement & Myotherapy
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