Roughly 14 years ago, Kona resident Donna St. John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects one’s movements, body and emotions. At first, she refused to believe it. For a long time, she found ways to ignore symptoms and cope. She did so until she could no longer conceal it.
St. John sometimes cannot control her shaking or the fact that she falls — a lot. While treatments exist to alleviate symptoms, they don’t slow the progression of the disease, which is gradually robbing her body of its strength. There’s no cure. Still, St. John isn’t giving up. In fact, she’s fighting back, thanks for Martin Petrofes and his program that works on specific needs of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Petrofes owns Hawaii Fitness Academy LLC, a new business that provides specialized programs for clients having discomfort or dysfunction issues. As a corrective exercise specialist, Petrofes typically helps people with a variety of musculoskeletal imbalances and movement pattern disorders. He tries to undo their poor movement habits and postures, re-establish flexibility and strength, and teach them how to maintain their new health status on their own.
Petrofes said helping all people achieve their goals, overcome barriers, and live a fit, pain-free and healthy life is his passion. As an instructor for the Parkinson’s Network, a Colorado-based nonprofit public charity, Petrofes has found West Hawaii is lacking in resources for people struggling with this disease. He’s determined to not only change this, but do something about it.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurological condition after Alzheimer’s disease, and studies have shown exercise can make huge positive impact on balance, flexibility and mobility for those with it. Petrofes is now working toward establishing regular classes and a support group for people with Parkinson’s disease in the community, believing this could dramatically improve their quality of life. Besides providing consistent physical exercise and targeting specific deficits, Petrofes also gives participants cognitive tasks to improve brain function and he incorporates voice strengthening.
St. John has been working with Petrofes for about three months. Dr. Brett Carey, the clinic director of Therapydia Kona, referred St. John to Petrofes after their physical therapy sessions ended because he thought she could benefit from some additional help to further improve her balance and coordination issues. Prior to working with Carey, St. John was “at wit’s end” and had difficulty getting off the floor when she fell, which was a serious safety issue. This was even more troubling for her because she knew as Parkinson’s disease gets worse, the risk of falling increases.
“(Carey) explained that people fall all the time and it was nothing to feel shame about. Instead, he taught me how to calculate the risks and fall better,” she said. “He not only knew I had the strength and ability, but also knew how to pull both out of me.”
St. John described her sessions with Petrofes as fun, motivational, inspirational and effective. She said each session has given her hope and even brought her out of her shell. People with Parkinson’s disease tend to speak very softly and almost mumble, which can further alienate them from the world around them. With Petrofes’ help, St. John has found her voice again, something she’s really proud of. St. John also thinks Petrofes’ intention to help others is fantastic and she looks forward to meeting other people in the community like her. She thinks support groups are positive, encouraging environments that can benefit all.
Along with being a corrective exercise specialist, Petrofes is also a master instructor who provides classes for those working to become certified fitness instructors and for those continuing their education to maintain their certified status. He’s always trying to broaden his understanding of human nature, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise science, nutrition and psychology. He said his own continuing education credits total 100 hours for this year alone.
Petrofes started Hawaii Fitness Academy to help fulfill a niche. There are limitations to physical therapy coverage by insurance plans, and after the allowed visits, some people still need or want help. Besides finding his own clients, Petrofes is working with Carey and Mary Mullahey at M2 Fitness to bring his programs to Big Island residents. Both places refer clients, as well as let Petrofes use their spaces for his business. It’s a collaboration he appreciates and says works well.
For more information about Hawaii Fitness Academy, call 936-0903 or email hawaiifitnessacademy@gmail.com.