Pilates

[IFwczs]

Who had luck with Pilates for MS?

[alimitchell1]

I was having terrible spasticity, to the point I could barely walk in the morning. I started Pilates 2 times a week... spasticity is almost gone for a day or two. The reformer stretches my legs so well! I have drop foot on the left so exercise can be a challenge but the Pilates equipment is great to control my leg/foot and use those muscles. Pilates helps!!

[IFwczs in reply to alimitchell1]

Thank you so much! I am glad it helped you. I have spasticity and foot drop. I am going to mention them today when I go for my first session.

[erash]

I tried a free trial Pilates class a few months ago. It was challenging and $$$. If I could afford it I would have joined because I def see where it could be very beneficial (hmmm...maybe I will put a few classes on my birthday list 😉)

[IFwczs in reply to erash]

Thank you very much. I will go today and report.

[goatgal]

IFwczs Someone recently posted a link to a you-tube pilates video for foot drop. I watched, found the exercises simple, and equipment (small rubber ball, terry towel) at hand and began doing them daily. Almost immediately I noticed the difference in my feet. I have foot drop on both, numbness and pain under the ball of my foot. Though when I first begin the exercises, my feet are stiff and painful, by the time I finish them, they are flexible and comfortable. Now, of course, I have an enforced hiatus. I am sure when the plaster cast is removed, and permission granted to begin a bit of stress on my repaired ankle, my right foot will be 'way behind, difficult to move from its fixed position, but I will persist. And look forward to those simple, effective stretches and flexes.

[IFwczs in reply to goatgal]

Please feel better soon! Make sure to wait for the doctor to give you permission to start exercising again.

[goatgal]

IFwczs Thank you. I promise that I am following orders as best I can. The doctor here is kind but shows little knowledge of/interest in the issues of how MS affects me. I try to explain, will be subversive when I must, and compliant when I can. I do respect the knowledge of the PTs here, who understand that I arrived strong, am interested in maintaining that strength as well as regaining my independence. If I had to wait for some aide to arrive every time I needed assistance, I would foul my nest. So I use knowledge of my limitations, my interest in not falling, and problem solve to do what I can do for myself. I'm not doing anything spectacular, but have managed to drag a bedside commode close, or wheel into the bathroom to wash my face/brush my teeth...because if I relied on the call bell for help with these mundane tasks, I would still be waiting. The more I can do, cautiously, carefully, the sooner I can get out and go home!!! It's not for nothing I call myself Goat Gal. Goats have a well deserved reputation for being stubborn and persistent and an underappreciated understanding of their ability to problem solve in creative ways! Namaste!

[Brindisi1]

I haven't done recently. Good reminder to incorporate. Had a stress heartattack 7 31 and slowed down, tired.body. Can go downhill pretty fast.. stress from dealing with eye issues for 1 1/2 yrs and hearing conflicting info while eye gets worse. It happened in a neuro opth office right in front of her. Other drs trying to tell me thyroid issue, I don't think so and I 've lived in this body longe than they see in 10 min visit.(Not to mention stress of other health issues unresolved).

I have a book called mat plates I can do at home. Will try to do and let you know.

Anyway God is good, still breathing and thankful for each day. Thanks for the unexpected vent.

Peace

[IFwczs in reply to Brindisi1]

So sorry to hear about your stress and eye issues. I've been living with eye issues since 6 y.o. when I almost went blind. And a couple of years ago they re-surfaced again. I was given all kinds of eye drops, which, in my opinion, expedited my MS disability progression. And stress kills, that's for sure. How are the eyes now and what are you doing for stress management?

[Brindisi1 in reply to IFwczs]

Thanks, stress not gone yet, still have othet health issues not resolved. I am proactive in that regard. Don't see to drive, except for short trips in area. Costly transportation to see doctors in med center, & haven't seen grandchildren since I used to visit them. Trying to deal with all.

I think I have good spiritual &prayer life. Doing some ceramics and gardening.

Cardiologist reccommended retina specialist for second opinion on epiretinale membrane. The neuro opthalmologist I was seeing for optic nervewhen I had heart attack was comparing film she had from last year and some deteriaration in retina membrane. She has no financial interest, but does thorough exam.

Anyway hoping for some definitive answer tuesdays. I think cornea issues will just be ongoing.

My other problems were cornea, double vision convergence,several infections dry eye and last but not least superior limbic keraconjunctivitis

I think will be life long issues, eye still exudes gook.

Lessons patience and courage and new aNatomay parts.

Hope your issue is diagnosed and treatable. Resurfacing doesn't sound like fun

Peace

Bonnie

[OKgal]

I love, love, love Pilates! I started at the Y and the instructor at the time was only so-so. The instructor retired, so Pilates was put on hold. I found a private studio and commenced there, but the instructor rubbed me the wrong way with always...and I mean ALWAYS violating my HIPAA rights. I got tired of being the "MS" student in the class and ridiculed all the time. Back to the Y for me, as the Pilates reformer class for MS had been reinstituted. The instructor is awesome and I'm now happy, happy, happy. It's much cheaper on my pocketbook to be at the Y. Moral of the story: Investigate the instructors as they're training in Pilates can vary.

[IFwczs in reply to OKgal]

That is so true of every profession! Investigate doctors as well.

[erash]

So I’m wondering if a Pilates class w/o the reformer equip. is as beneficial as a class with the reformer? From my one experience at a Pilates studio with the reformer, it felt like it was that equipment that would have given me the most rapid and beneficial gains.🙄

[IFwczs in reply to erash]

I went to my first Pilates class yesterday. I thought they all have this equipment?

[erash in reply to IFwczs]

I think that Pilates studios do but there are some freestanding Pilates classes that just use mats

[OKgal in reply to erash]

Correct! There's Pilates with only the mat and Reformer Pilates. They both have their benefits with focus on the core. I wish the Y would bring back a mat class, so I could do both! Mix it up, ya' know. There's also some very positive studies on PubMed regarding MS and Pilates.

[IFwczs in reply to erash]

I agree that it's probably not as beneficial without reformer equipment, but any exercise is better than none. And Pilates is considered helpful for MS anyway.