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Attractive exercise, anyone?

Posted , 3 users are following.

katexxxxxx
katexxxxxx

I'm 57 and about 3 stone over my ideal weight. I need to get back into good healthy exercise patterns (as well as cutting down on the Christmas goodies and increasing the fruit and veg intake!), but am finding this difficult because of a number health issues that mean that while one type of exercise can be generally good for me in lots of ways, it's contraindicated for others. rolleyes

I have:

fibromyalgia: generally walking and swimming are good for this, but not high-impact things like running or sports like tennis, hockey, etc... And getting cold in the swimming pool is NOT good for this at all!

hip displacia resulting in arthritis in both hip joints: I have physio exercises that are supposed to help, but cause problems elsewhere... Walking is not recommended other than on smooth pathways without steep inclines and lots of steps. Despite being a condition I have suffered from all my life, the hip displacia was only diagnosed last year when I finally complained about the hip pain! The hip joints will need replacing at some point, as I'm developing arthitis that normally wouldn't manifest for another 15-20 years... but they want to hold off if they can as I really don't want it don twice!

Patellofemoral instability, including some subluxation: As one utterly charming orthopod put it: 'I could flick those kneecaps out of place with a thumb and almost no pressure. It's a wonder you don't lose them in a stiff breeze!' He was lovely, and very sympathetic, and I was glad to know I really DID have a particular issue and it wasn't just dismissed as just being a further cruelty of the fibro. Anything that strengthen the quads is good here, especially going up and down stairs as, it helps tighten all the ligaments - but see above! I also have some physio exercises for this. They don't interfear with the hip exercises, but both sets set off the sacroiliitis wonderfully.

Sacroiliitis resulting from Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, as a result of an accident 20 or so years ago... I fell down the stairs, banging that side of my pelvis on every step on the way down. No infection, just inflammation due to the joint constantly shifting and being ever so slightly misaligned.

IRS of both shoulders (sewing injury! I'm a professional dress and costume maker) and right wrist (old teaching injury from the days of 5 layer self-carbonating subject report writing that could not, in those days, be done on a computer...). These mean that the use of a walking stick to help when the back and hips are playing merry hell is impossible!

If anyone has any bright ideas, it would really help!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • derek76
    derek76

    Posted

    Someone probably runs hydrotherapy sessions t your local pool
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hey there, hydrotherapy is a very good choice as the water provides support for your body and joints, meaning all exercise that you do will be low impact. Other then this having a word with a local personal trainer will be able to recommend some specialist advice on exercise for you.

    And as you mentioned, maintaining a good diet based on your level of activity will ensure you will be able control weight.

  • katexxxxxx
    katexxxxxx

    Posted

    Hydrotherapy might well be a good idea, so thanks. I'll need to find somewhere a bit warmer than the local swimming pool usually is these days, though. They turned the warm down a bit, which is fine when I am reasonably fit and can swim to keep warm, but not much cop when the cold sets off the sacroiliitis!
  • derek76
    derek76

    Posted

    My GP suggested hydrotherapy for my hip pain while I was having physio at our local NHS hospital. I suggested it to the physio who thought it a good idea. He said that he would have to ask his supervisor. He returned saying that for it to be effective I would need it three times a week but that they could only offer it once a week. Both my GP and consultant expressed surprise.

    I assume that the hospital pool would be warmer than the local one. The local pool is used by two private physios. One runs sessions twice a week and the other three times a week at £8 a time.

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