Move better. Live better
About Us
All are welcome!
Thank you for checking out our page! The Movers and Shakers of Fresno are a Parkinson's support group in Fresno. We meet once a month
to learn more about topics to increase our understanding of Parkinson's disease, address common challenges, learn ways to improve overall quality of life, and build a strong community.
We meet the first Saturday of every month at 11:00am (we take off for July and December).
We look forward to welcoming you to the group at our next meeting!
Coming Up!
Speech Therapy and Parkinson's Management
January 6, 2024 @ 11:00am
Patricia Miller, M.A., CCC-SLP, Founder and Executive Director of SoCal Speech Therapy & Swallowing Diagnostics will join us virtually to discuss the importance of speech therapy in the management of Parkinson’s disease, how the SPEAK OUT! Program can benefit patients at different stages of their PD journey, and what to do if you are concerned about your voice.
SoCal Speech Therapy & Swallowing Diagnostics is an insurance-based, adult-focused speech therapy practices with a specialty in treating PD patients via telemedicine statewide in California. They are currently credentialed with Medicare, HealthNet, HealthCare LA IPA, Lakeside Medical Group and Regal Medical Group.
DBS: Choosing a Device and Surgeon
February 3, 2024 @ 11:00am
Dr. Mason will discuss Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease: who this therapy is right for, how it works, what to expect, and how to choose a surgeon and device that's a good fit.
Dr. Mason completed his medical training at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and UCLA. He undertook a research fellowship with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and training in Clinical/Translational Research with the UCLA-CTSI and SC-CTSI. He joined the USC faculty in the departments of Neurological Surgery and Neurology in 2021.
September 2, 2023 at 11:00am: Fresno Community Resources
Charity, from the Valley Caregiver Resource Center, joins us to talk about their services, where to find resources within the community, and the benefits of using community resources.
Valley Caregiver Resource Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality of services to seniors, caregivers, and their family members.
August 5, 2023 at 11:00am: A Talk with a Movement Disorder Specialist
Fresno has a new movement disorder specialist in town, and he joined us in August to discuss the value of the movement disorder subspecialty for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He discussed clinical trials, what to look for when enrolling, and how to stay informed of new trials. In taking questions from the audience, Dr. Farbman covered everything from how to schedule a visit to how he manages treatment of Parkinson's disease to what the latest breakthroughs mean for the future of Parkinson's disease research.
Eric Farbman, MD recently arrived from Las Vegas where he served as the Chief of Movement Disorders Section at Roseman University of Health Sciences. While in Las Vegas, Dr. Farbman was active in the neurological community, seeing patients, teaching future doctors, and conducting research. He is looking forward to sharing his decades of expertise with the Central Valley. Watch the video to learn more about Dr. Farbman and how a movement disorder specialist can play an important role in the management of Parkinson’s disease.
June 3, 2023 at 11:00am: Speech Therapy for Parkinson's at Fresno State
Sabrina Nii, clinic director at the Fresno State Speech, Language, Hearing, and Research Clinic, will join us to discuss the speech therapy research program at Fresno State. As part of their research, the clinic offers free speech therapy for individuals with Parkinson's and Parkinson's-plus syndrome.
SPEAK OUT!® is the first in a two-part speech therapy program designed for individuals with Parkinson's and Parkinson's-plus syndrome. The series of twelve individual speech therapy sessions are led by a graduate student who conducts an evaluation and follows a treatment plan outlined by the SPEAK OUT!® program.
In the LOUD Crowd® group program, graduate students will conduct ongoing speech therapy sessions to provide vocal practice, accountability, and encouragement in group format. These sessions are designed to help you maintain the progress you made in the SPEAK OUT!® program.
All research clinic programs are under the supervision of a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.
April 2023: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Parkinson's Disease
Mark Krel, D.O., Fresno's very own movement disorder neurosurgeon explains everything you need to know about Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and how it is changing the landscape for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Krel is a California native and completed his undergraduate, graduate, medical education, neurosurgical residency, and fellowship training in the state. After his neurosurgery residency, Dr. Krel received subspecialty training and served as a clinical instructor in stereotactic, functional, epilepsy, and pain neurosurgery at Standford University. He specializes in movement disorders (Parkinson's Disease, Tremor, Dystonia, etc.), epilepsy, pain, and psychosurgery to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.
Dr. Krel is instrumental in developing the movement disorder program at the Community Medical Centers. He is grateful for the opportunity to partner with patients in their care and looks forward to working to improve the health of the community.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Krel, contact his office at 559.222.7246.
March 2023: Parkinson's Nutrition Recommendations
Randi Tedford, MA, RD discusses the importance of good nutrition and the role it plays in managing Parkinson’s disease. You’ll get recommendations on how to achieve and maintain a balanced, healthy diet to best fuel your body and learn ways to time your meals for better medication absorption.
February 2023: Parkinson's Exercise Recommendations
The Parkinson’s Foundation and the American College of Sports medicine partnered up to release Parkinson’s exercise recommendations, and Team Move Up is joining us again to help you get the most out of those recommendations. Get a full and clear explanation about the various categories of exercise and how best to incorporate them for a well-balanced fitness program that will save you time while maximizing benefit. You’ll also learn and practice several exercises that you can add to your repertoire!
January 2023: Workout Kickoff
We're making 2023 a year focused on health and self-care! Our dynamic coaches created a routine that combines agility, balance, strength, and cardiovascular training in a fun format that is appropriate for all levels. Now you can watch the video throughout the year to improve your fitness and battle Parkinson's disease!
June 2022: Balance and Parkinson's Disease
We are so excited to have Elizabeth Foss, Occupational Therapist, join us to talk to you about balance and Parkinson’s disease! In this presentation, Elizabeth teaches you more about balance and what you can do to overcome challenges. She discusses our balance strategies, sensory systems, strength components and postural contributions that integrate to make up our balance, along with interventions to uptrain each one. Elizabeth has been a practicing occupational therapist for 11 years and specializes in working with the neurological populations with a passion for serving those with Cerebellar Ataxia and Parkinson's Disease. She is the YouTube content creator for the channel "Little Steps, Big Gains" in which she provides free resources with educational videos and exercise programs for neurological and older adult populations. Elizabeth is certified in LSVT BIG, Otaga, stroke rehabilitation and Tai-Chi. She is also a Certified Functional Aging Specialist and an Older Adult Exercise Consultant.
April 2021: Exercising the Brain
In this video, Jessica Tax, CEO of Move Up Health and Fitness, discusses the latest research on physical and mental exercises that can be used to strengthen the brain throughout life, even into our later years.
December 2020: Sleep Disturbance and Parkinson's Disease
Caterina Mosti, PhD gives an excellent presentation on sleep disturbance and Parkinson’s disease. You will learn about healthy sleep, the different types of sleep disturbance, and ways you can get your own sleep back on track. If you have difficulty sleeping this is a must-watch!
September 2020: Telehealth Physical Therapy for Parkinson's Disease Management
In this presentation, Dr. Hajela gives you information about telehealth physical therapy, and how you can get utilize this type of session to get the most from your physical therapy team.
Location
Move Up Health and Fitness
Directions:
Located about a mile south of the Walmart on Shaw and Brawley
Traveling North on Brawley from N. Weber:
W Swift Ave will be your first right as you come around the bend where N Weber becomes Brawley. We will be on the left side of the street, across from the mailboxes. Look for the Move Up Health and Fitness sign on the front of the building.
Traveling South on Brawley from Shaw:
Travel about a mile south on Brawley from Shaw. We are the last left before the bend where Brawley turns into N Weber; there is a Rico's Monutment at the opening of the street. Once you turn left onto W Swift Ave, we will be on the left side of the street, across from the mailboxes. Look for the Move Up Health and Fitness sign on the front of the building.
Investigation of motor control and motor learning principles in individuals with Parkinson's disease
Adam Perez, a student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Fresno State University, will be studying the effects of electromyography (EMG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.
Study flyer
Informed consent form
UCLA PEG Brain and Gut Study
UCLA is currently enrolling participants in their brain and gut study. The study aims to better understand the role of the gut in brain health and how this might provide future therapeutic opportunities for Parkinson's disease.
To enroll, contact Dr. Krel at: (559)222-7246
Study brochure
More information
The Tempo Studies
The TemPo Studies will evaluate the investigational drug tavapadon as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Bhatia is director at Neuro Pain Medical Center and the principal investigator for clinical trials.
Study brochure
More information and registration
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Browse our exercise programs and book your first appointment:
Personal Training
Let us do what we do best and craft your personalized exercise program to accelerate your results. Get the most out of every workout with instruction from our expert trainers. They’ll keep you motivated and make sure you stay on track to reach your health and fitness goals.
Health Coaching
Do you have health and fitness goals, but you’re just not sure which exercises are best or what lifestyle changes to make? Connect with a health coach to get expert guidance and come up with the perfect plan to reach your goals faster. Get regular check-ins to monitor your progress and plan your next steps.
Exercise Classes to Battle Parkinson's Disease
Research shows that exercise can slow or even halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease, and we’re here to make every workout count. Join forces with our expert coaches who will challenge and motivate you to move better, faster, and stronger. Reach new levels of fitness while stopping Parkinson’s in its tracks.
Exercise Classes for Those Affected by Cancer
Facing cancer is scary, but you do not have to travel that path alone. Our Move Beyond Cancer class connects you to compassionate, highly trained instructors and a tribe of people who can relate to your journey. Improve treatment outcomes, prevent recurrence, and rebuild after a cancer diagnosis with this specialized exercise program.
Tai Chi for Balance
Don’t live in fear of falling. If you feel unsteady, have anxiety about or are at risk of falling, this is the class for you. The slow, deliberate movement of Tai Chi will help you build lower body strength, increase your range of motion, and improve your reflexes to improve your balance and prevent falls.
On-demand Workout Videos
Need a flexible option so you can exercise any place, any time? Choose from a variety of workouts in our video library to build a stronger, more limber, energetic you. Videos are added monthly!