I would like suggestions please for chair based exercise.

[Nell66]

I have mobility problems due to arthritis in my spine and neck and knee.

I would be pleased to hear suggestions for exercises please.

[Zest]

Hi Nell66 ,

There is an NHS video called 'Chair Pilates' that you might like to try:

nhs.uk/video/Pages/chair-pi...

Zest

[andyswarbs]

I know it is not a direct answer, but as part of my recovery from arthritis I saw a chiropractor many times over several months. She helped me get my spine working and thence working on others aspects of my body such as shoulders. By the end she really worked right through most of my body. This took me from being housebound and using a wheelchair to go to the shops to be able to get to my first hot (bikram) yoga session. Since then I go to hot yoga daily for continued recovery. Initially I needed the help of two people to gently lower me to the floor to do floor exercises (and two people to lift me vertical again after.) I now walk and live life fairly normally.

[Nell66 in reply to andyswarbs]

Thank you for replying Andyswarbs, I appreciate it. I am happy to look into different aspects of help. I am still looking on the net for various ideas. Thank you again.

[andyswarbs in reply to Nell66]

Recovery is based in good diet, which is the main thread of this forum. Without my dietary changes I would not have got to the chiropractor. Without my dietary changes I would still be taking about six tablets each day.

Make sure you get rid of dairy and processed foods is absolutely critical first stage to better health for anyone with arthritis. Neither of these is easy to achieve. Whey & refined carbs is in so many foods, and when you don't feel well then cheap comfort foods placed near the checkout counters in supermarkets seem irresistible in very attractive packaging. The treat of a beautiful looking box of chocolates given by a friend to help cheer you up...

[deejames in reply to andyswarbs]

I had a wonderful chiro just like you Andy who was guiding and directing my very very gradual progress after spine surgery. She could always come up with a variation on an stretch or exercise that would not be damaging to me. But she has her own health issues and has been off work for months.

My progress has stalled .

I don't imagine there is 'hot yoga' here in the Highlands Andy. Can you tell me a bit about it though.

Dee

[andyswarbs in reply to deejames]

Bikram tends to be in big cities, so Glasgow and Edinburgh are fine. But up in the Highlands it is going to be difficult.

Bikram is a type of Hot Yoga that is practised in a humid studio at 40 degrees. Because of the heat it is very good for people with arthritis. The warmth means you are more flexible. Also there are no "downward dog" poses or other poses using the wrists so that can be very good as well. A session lasts for 90 minutes and people report benefits even if all they do is stay in the studio! Every session is the same 26 poses each repeated. That means every time you go you can detect really small improvements that makes it very motivating. I have always walked out of the studio feeling better than when I went in, always.

[deejames in reply to andyswarbs]

Sounds interesting. But oops. I have another condition of the skin which means heat causes very unpleasant and un comfortable facial flushing. It's a b.....r as the warmth of the sun really helps stiffness and resulting pain. But there you go .....

[andyswarbs in reply to deejames]

If you ever have the chance (say when in Edinburgh or Glasgow or elsewhere) I would give Bikram a try. Studios tend to have cooler areas and hotter ones and so teachers should be able to guide you to a more comfortable place.

[deejames in reply to andyswarbs]

Thanks andy. I do visit family in Edinburgh so maybe....

[Jennymary]

At the leisure centre where I work we have a chair aerobics class once a week for people with mobility problems, may be worth looking to see if there's something similar in your area

[Nell66 in reply to Jennymary]

What a brilliant idea. I will definitely look into this. Thank you so much for your suggestion. It sounds perfect for my needs.

[PhilFreeToAsk]

You could try the sitting down version of Tai Chi Qigong. See this NHS website torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/...

The exercise is very gentle but works at deeper level. This exercise works the mind, body and breath.

[Nell66 in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

What a brilliant set of videos. Thanks for the tip, PhilFreeToAsk, and the background birdsong keeps my two budgies entertained at the same time.

[PhilFreeToAsk in reply to Nell66]

The beauty of this exercise is that it is very simple and gentle but don't underestimate its power. You can switch between sitting and standing as you wish. This is also a wonderful introduction to Tai Chi. Tai Chi has been shown to have health benefits in such conditions as arthritis, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia.

[Nell66 in reply to PhilFreeToAsk]

I am definitely going to give this a good go. I am interested in all things eastern and oriental, so this is so good for me. Thank you again.

[PhilFreeToAsk in reply to Nell66]

Maybe there is a course near you? You may find one by searching in Google for Tai Chi Qigong or Shibashi (Chinese for 18).

This website should give you more information about the exercise taichi18.com/ .