Exercise with Chronic Conditions or Disabilities

[JAM2b]

I know it is incredibly difficult to exercise when you're always sick or physically incapable of doing things, however having a condition or disability is often made worse by lack of activity or brings on other health risks due to decreased physical fitness.

I try to exercise in spite of my symptoms and limitations. It is often painful, I lack strength sometimes, and there are some activities I simply cannot do at all. I have learned that even though it causes pain and increases my fatigue, my mobility increases and I feel better overall. It also does help to relieve some stress and emotion.

One thing that has been told to me over and over by physical therapist is when you have a chronic condition or physical disability, the intensity, amount, or speed of your exercise is not as important as doing it well and doing it consistently. I've been told to focus on doing it the right way for as much as I can. When I feel I can't go on, or my muscles have reach a point of fatigue where I can't do it correctly or safely, then stop for that session.

Right now I've been doing my physical therapy exercises at home, stretches, a modified push-up challenge (wall leans), and carefully walking. My main goal for now in increase in range of motion and strength and muscle stability.

I believe it is important for us to maintain the mobility we have, and to improve it if we can. It is so tempting to just rest and seek comfort constantly, especially when you don't feel good most of the time. But I've begun to see that as a death sentence, speeding along my deterioration and progression of condition, and inviting other diseases and life threatening conditions to join them in the attack against me.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Prayers sent out from the Mountaintop for you today 4:39 AM

Have you tried light exercising in water?
There is a water exercise class that meets down the mountain at the gym and I have met several there that had injuries and or disabilities doing well in the water and enjoying the class.

Some medical insurance programs now pay for gym membership. I was just notified the other day that my medical insurance will pay for a gym membership. I guess it's time that I should re-enroll.

Many Blessings Sent
from, Bob

 

[JAM2b]

Water exercise has been recommended for me. We have a pool here at our apartments that is open from May-October. The only indoor, year-round, pool in our town is for senior citizen only. There is one in the next town, but the membership is very expensive if you aren't a resident of their city.

 

[Hearingheart]

I second the water for exercise. I have to be careful to not get overheated and the pool is ideal, plus there is a lot of resistance without the stress on the body. If being in the shallow end is too hard on your joints, you can still a lot of these in the deep end.

 

[har_habayit]

This post was really, really good. I have chronic fatigue and while exercise seems to make me more fatigued (obviously) I know that the health benefits long term will be better than what I seem to temporarily suffer as a setback. Just letting your blood stagnate and letting those depressing thoughts take over will only invite other problems and make your life worse.

 

[JAM2b]

I wanted to give an update.

My condition became worse because of severely degenerated disc and inflammation. I'm also experiencing numbness and shakiness in my legs and feet. It has caused a great deal of difficulty for my mobility. I have had to resort to using a walker when I'm not just taking a few steps around my home.

I'm on a physical therapy regimen and use the pool until it closes in September. The doctor has me taking daily anti inflammatory medicine and eating an anti inflammatory diet.

Just this last week I got steroid shots in my back. That has created a great improvement, but my legs are still weak, shaky, and having episodes of numbness.

Later this month I'm getting a nerve conduction velocity study for my legs.

 

[jacks]

An exercise regime that you can do at most levels of disability is Lian gong. I took it from a women who wrote a book on it and her biggest problem was the cover photo, none of the exercises looked "tough" enough. It is a series of exercises from various martial arts, yoga, tai chi, etc. Designed to be help certain parts of the body in a certain sequence. Some medical research into it has been positive. HERE If you are not able to stand many of the exercises can be done while sitting.
Note: Even though this is a gentle form of exercise, you shouldn't do anything that causes you pain. Ask your doctor about it, if you are interested.

 

[JAM2b]

An exercise regime that you can do at most levels of disability is Lian gong. I took it from a women who wrote a book on it and her biggest problem was the cover photo, none of the exercises looked "tough" enough.

Thank you for sharing about this. I will look into it.