🌍 The Shift Toward Holistic Wellness — And Why It Matters for Everyone

I couldn’t be more encouraged by what’s happening right now in the Parkinson’s community.

The recent publication from the Movement Disorders Society — calling for a Holistic Wellness Prescription for Parkinson’s — marks a turning point. For years, many of us working in wellness and functional movement have known what the research is now proving: that exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental health, and social connection are not “extras” in Parkinson’s care — they’re essential components of living well.

What’s especially exciting is seeing words like “proactive,” “customized,” and “bespoke” appearing in medical journals. It means the industry is finally catching up to what we already see every day — that wellness isn’t reactive, it’s something you build before you need it.

🧠 Wellness Is the Prescription for Everyone

When you really look at it, the “prescription” for people with Parkinson’s doesn’t differ much from what any of us need to live a wholesome, fulfilling life.

A daily movement practice — whether that’s walking, resistance training, or a Parkinson’s-specific program — is the foundation everything else is built on.Muscles thrive on contraction; they need movement to stay alive. The same goes for the mind and spirit.

No matter what condition or limitation we face, we can always design some form of movement routine that works for us. Adaptation is one of the most powerful gifts we have as humans.

🤝 Connection and Shared Experience

The new paper also highlighted social connection and community, and that’s something I’ve seen firsthand through my classes.

When people move and sing together — whether it’s in a Parkinson’s boxing class or a strength session for active older adults — something happens that no medication can replicate.There’s laughter. There’s shared effort. There’s a moment where everyone feels part of something larger than themselves.

That’s human nature. We’re wired to connect through shared experiences, even if our stories look different. Without that sense of belonging, wellness always feels incomplete.

🥗 Nutrition and Longevity

Diet, of course, plays its role.While I’m not an advocate of a strictly plant-based diet for everyone, I do believe that as we age, our protein and calorie needs shift. A diet focused on digestibility, balance, and nutrient density makes sense — especially when the goal is keeping our energy systems efficient and our bodies resilient.

What matters most isn’t perfection — it’s sustainability. It’s eating in a way that supports how you want to feel and function.

💡 The Universal Truth of Wellness

When you boil it all down, the formula for living well — with or without Parkinson’s — remains the same:

• Movement that challenges the body

• Connection that nourishes the heart

• Purpose that gives direction

• Creativity and contribution that give meaning

These aren’t new discoveries; they’re the same truths we’ve known for centuries. What’s different now is that modern medicine is beginning to measure them, value them, and fund them.

But I can’t help but wonder what might happen if more of our resources went directly into community programs, wellness training, and accessible initiatives for people who need them most.The data is clear — movement heals, connection heals, purpose heals.

❤️ Gratitude and Hope

I’m deeply grateful for the researchers, physicians, and advocates pushing this movement forward. It’s encouraging to see medical and wellness worlds finally starting to speak the same language.

If there’s one takeaway from all of this, it’s that the answers have always been right in front of us: move daily, connect deeply, eat with intention, rest fully, and keep creating.

That’s not just Parkinson’s care — that’s the blueprint for living a full life.

And I believe we’re finally ready, as a society, to live by it.

Written by:Bret Huotari

Founder & Principal | Ascend Performance Training – Denver, CO