APRIL is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Recent statistics highlight that over 166,000 people are diagnosed in the UK alone, with a new diagnosis occurring every 20 minutes.

Activities are taking place across the world, aiming to ensure that people living with Parkinson's know they are not alone and that local support is available, as well as fund raising for future research.

Sarah Wheeler will be giving a talk for the Crediton Parkinson’s support group at the Boniface centre on Wednesday, April 1.

Last year she spoke on the benefits of movement, posture and good body mechanics and £120 was raised for Parkinsons UK.

This year the subject will be Gut health and nutrition. Both subjects are very important in managing good health for everyone of course, but Parkinson’s brings particular challenges.

Parkinson’s is an inflammatory disease of the brain, with over 40 symptoms.

Dietary changes can be of enormous benefit when dealing with inflammation.

Other lifestyle changes can also have a large impact on Gut function, such as breathwork, stress management and movement.

Sarah was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nearly five years ago, just before she turned 49.

She has been working with patients for over 30 years, since graduating from The Maidstone college of Osteopathy in 1995.

With a background in natural health, she has been keen to research and promote non pharmaceutical approaches to good health, with an aim to manage symptoms and slow disease progression and cognitive decline, without the side effects that medication can bring.

Diane Silcock has been hosting the Crediton support group for some time and is supported by Georgie Marshall.

Please feel free to contact Diane on 07305 076080 for further information on this talk or other group activities.