The Center For Movement Challenges (CFMC)™ is a non-profit organization focused on helping those affected by movement challenges. The organization's flagship Boxing for Parkinson's program has expanded its outreach to include other movement challenges, including Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (YOPD), Parkinsonism, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The CFMC™ mission is to enhance and potentially prolong the lives of people with movement challenges with the goal of slowing disease progression, lessening symptom severity, enhancing safety, prolonging independence, encouraging socialization and promoting physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. Center for Movement Challenges™ is located in Sandy Springs, GA within The Walter and Estelle Strauss Wellness Center. Exercise is a vital component for people diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Exercise can assist in targeting and improving both motor and non-motor symptoms. Previously, exercise and physical therapy were viewed only as "adjunctive" or "helpful". Research now proves that exercise is critical to PD and MS treatments and helps improve brain and body functions. Aside from taking medications on time, exercise is the single most important activity to manage movement challenges and lead the best possible life. Medications improve symptoms; only exercise can slow the progression of the disease. Exercise promotes Neuroplasticity: the ability of the nerve networks in the brain to change and improve function by making new pathways through growth, reorganization, strengthening and repair. The organization works with goal-based exercises. In neuro-rehabilitation it is important to incorporate goal directed motor skill learning including repetition, intensity and challenge, which together with skill training leads to improvement in motor performance, as well as cognitive engagement.
