Posted by Damos on March 20, 2005, at 15:17:00
In reply to Re: change in eating habits... » Damos, posted by alexandra_k on March 20, 2005, at 14:12:14
> Thanks.
Hey it's no problem at all, it's a pleasure actually :-)
> I probably should give something like pilates or yoga a go. But I can't face the thought of a gym or of exercise classes. I am far too self conscious. Yeah. If you can think of some exercises I would be grateful if you could post them.
Great minds. A number of the exercises I was going to recommend are 'core' Pilates so work the mid section pretty hard. I can understand the gym thing too. I joined a Pilates and Yoga only place in Sydney back in May and have never been for the similar reasons.
> I wasn't sure whether exercising through the pain would actually be good for them. Should I try to practice standing on tip toes etc? Will that make the muscles / ligaments (whatever) stronger?
This is always a difficult question. My guide is that if the pain you are working through is from stiffness due to lack of use/mobility and not from joints actually rubbing on each other or nerves then it's okay. The problem with not doing load bearing exercise e.g. walking is that it is important in preventing osteoporosis. So any that you can do is a good thing. Given the problems you have it would be best to do it on soft grass than paths/roads etc as the soft surfaces with reduce the shock transmitted to the joints. They also make gel filled innersoles now that can help a great deal with heal strike. An appointment with a podiatrist might also be a good idea to get some thoughts on whether orthotics of some description might help.
> Or will it just make the pain worse as the bones rub against each other? They said that they will disintegrate over time. I'll be back in a wheelchair again as I get older. Would I be hastening my demise? Or helping? Nobody seemed to know.
Unfortunately it is probably right that the joint will deteriortate further over time. But the person I share my house with has MS and refuses to do any exercise and is now paying for it badly with loss of flexibility, muscle tone and strength. Yes it would have happened anyway but just not as quickly. She now drags herself around the house with a walking frame and has to use a chair or electric scooter when she goes out.
>
> So I don't know either...I think the only answer is to listen to your body, it'll let you know when something you're doing is not good.
> I think I can feel the difference between general pain and the pain of the bones / joints having had enough. I got a script for some anti-inflamataries but I never got it filled. I thought that if I took them before a long walk it may help with the joint / bone pain and especially if the pain is due to the swelling.Okay then, that's pretty important. The thing we have to be careful of is not to load up the ankles while still ensuring the joint is exercised. So I'll suggest some things and you can just say yes or no based on your experiences
> I can actually walk pretty far.That's great!!!!!:-)
> But then they are really stiff and sore over the next two or three days.The trick is to build up slowly over time and ensure your footware etc is as good as it can be. I used to keep rigorous training logs back when I was young and silly - just so I could guage where I was at. You don't just go out and run marathon distances you have to build up slowly to avoid injury etc. If they're only stiff and sore this is also a relatively good sign, especially if the soreness is just general not specific to this bone or that bone.
> It isn't so bad because it means that if I really do want to do something (go for a short bush walk), go for a longer walk by the river or round town then I can do it. It is just that there are consequences for the next couple of days...
Good, so If I come over you can take me for a walk by the river or something to show off :-)
One question before I go to start planning your exercises, if your legs are just hanging off the bed or a bar stool etc how well can you raise/lower your feet. Sorry for all the questions, hope they're not bringing any bad stuff.
I'll write soon,
poster:Damos
thread:464298
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050306/msgs/473222.html