How has martial arts helped Phil Churchill manage his Parkinson's symptoms?

Martial arts has "massively" helped Phil Churchill, a 49-year-old man diagnosed with Parkinson's at 40, cope with the physical and mental effects of the condition. Despite his struggles with balance, coordination, and pain, Churchill leads 16 martial arts classes per week, which he says keeps his mind focused and helps manage his symptoms.

What is Phil Churchill's daily experience with Parkinson's?

Churchill says Parkinson's affects every part of his body, every day. Some days he experiences twitching, shaking, and feeling like he's drunk, having to hold onto walls for balance. Other days, he almost forgets about it until a sudden neck twitch kicks in, giving him an instant headache.

How has Phil Churchill's son, Alexander "Ali" Churchill, been involved in his father's story?

Ali, a filmmaking student, has created a documentary project to tell the story of how martial arts has helped his father, Phil Churchill, maintain his physical fitness and positive mindset despite the challenges of Parkinson's.

Home / Health / Martial Arts Helps Man Cope with Parkinson's Symptoms

Martial Arts Helps Man Cope with Parkinson's Symptoms

21 Aug

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Summary

49-year-old man diagnosed with Parkinson's at 40
Leads 16 martial arts classes weekly, teaching hundreds
Martial arts keeps his mind focused, helps manage symptoms

Martial Arts Helps Man Cope with Parkinson's Symptoms

As of August 21, 2025, a 49-year-old man named Phil Churchill from Glastonbury, Somerset, has been using martial arts to manage his Parkinson's disease, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 40. Despite the progressive nature of Parkinson's, which affects every part of his body daily, Churchill continues to lead 16 martial arts classes per week, teaching hundreds of students.

Churchill first became interested in martial arts years before his Parkinson's diagnosis, as a way to recover from an injury. When he started experiencing Parkinson's symptoms, it took doctors two and a half years to confirm the diagnosis, as they believed he was too young to have the condition.

Now, Churchill says that teaching martial arts is what helps him the most. "I always feel better when I'm teaching," he explains. "It keeps my mind focused and not on whatever today's issue is." While he acknowledges that Parkinson's is incurable and progressive, with no way to slow it down, the martial arts practice has been a crucial part of his journey in living with the disease.

Churchill's son, Alexander "Ali" Churchill, a filmmaking student, has even created a documentary project to tell the story of how martial arts has helped his father maintain his physical fitness and positive mindset despite the challenges of Parkinson's.

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