Overview
Welcome to the first South Bay Area Chapter of PingPongParkinson®, proudly partnered with HeCares Foundation.
Recent international research suggests that table tennis is highly beneficial (physically & mentally) to people with PD. In particular, a focus on balance, hand-eye coordination, quick rhythmic movements and concentration are believed to be beneficial for the brain’s ability to fire up neurons and produce dopamine.
Other benefits include:
- Prevention in healthy/pre-clinical
- Improved drug efficacy
- Reduced motor symptoms
- Improved non-motor symptoms (mood, sleep)
- Task specific (balance, gait, posture, fitness, hand-eye coordination) – practice, practice, practice!
- Improve quality of life and reduce disability
Our PPP sessions include welcoming activities, warm-ups, and exercises to enhance strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Beyond the game, we foster a fun, inclusive environment that connects players to a supportive community—proven to enhance the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s.
About the instructor
Julie Altschuler,PT
Physical Therapist
Julie Altschuler, MSPT, our team’s Physical Therapist at HeCares is a BSPTS-Rigo Concepts Certified Therapist for the treatment of Scoliosis, kyphosis and other spinal conditions via the Schroth Method. She has a passion for posture and has taught classes on the benefits of optimal posture and how to achieve it. She is excited to blend her postural training with exercises from PWR! Moves for Parkinson’s, along with ping pong to help promote strength, balance, and mobility all while having fun too!