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Greetings, I have just signed up and enjoying reviewing the messages. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons last november-basic symtones were rigidity in my rightside, poor gait, arm not swinging, stiff neck, considerable muscle atrophy on my right side. I am 49 and have been active all my life. After the news, I tried to take control by reading everything I could, an aggressive exersize program and positive thinking, and working closely with my physio to fix my kneck and knee(sorry forgot about that earlier). We mmade some progress but not a great deal.Taoist Tai Chi was recommended to me by several people, but for some reason i did not try it until it was apparent the phyio was not really working. I have been practicing Tai Chi for 5 months. The impact has been amazing. MY neck is normal again, rigidity has reduced, my gait and arm swinging greatly improved, my right knee is better and stronger, I am far more flexible and stronger than in along time. For example, the other week, I touched my toes for the first time in my life. Perhaps more importantly, as I look back, before taiChi, I was very tense-today I am far more relaxed, extremely positive about my control of Parkinsons, so it has greatly improved my state of mind. 2 days ago I went for my 6 month check up. The rating of my condition surprised the nurse, I had not deterioated at all, and had improved in several area including flexibility and fine motor control. My neurolgist even smiled after seeing the results of the rating, and I told him I had reduced my Sinemet CR from 400mg per day to 100.I also take deprynol and have not changed the dosage. Well, thts more than I intended to say by way of an introduction, but I have really gained from Tai Chi. To gain the benefits you have to worh at it and Pratice 6-8 hours per week. This is equivalent to the exersize routine, physio visits etc before Tai Chi. I also practice self-talk to ensure positive thinking and I challenge my brain to produce more Dopamine.Is there spell check on the Internet? If I can be of asssitance to anyone plse call [log in to unmask]