Motor imagery

[lbenmaor]

I just read an interesting article about motor imagery. If we imagine ourselves doing something without doing it helps your motor skills to do it.

Leslie

[rjoneslaw]

Do you have a link for it?

[lbenmaor in reply to rjoneslaw]

No link. The MSAA sent it to me.

[goatgal in reply to rjoneslaw]

rjoneslaw It was posted yesterday (11/14) on the <Multiple Sclerosis News Today> email news feed. I will try to retrieve it (but don't know how to post a link...my tech skills are sadly lacking)

[rjoneslaw in reply to goatgal]

Thanks I will look into it

[Jazzihorsecat]

WOW! Like it, & will chk. It out, Toddah Leslie sweety👍💗Love Ya!--Jazzy🌹💜

[lbenmaor in reply to Jazzihorsecat]

You're Welcome. Try it and tell me what you think. It works for me.

Leslie

[SueAB]

Love it! I'm running with my husband tomorrow - in my mind that is!

[lbenmaor in reply to SueAB]

Have a great run!

Leslie

[goatgal]

Ibenmaor I read the article and agree that there is truth to the findings. Coincidently, yesterday was one of the two days a week the PT visits. Last week, I was able to stand, clutching the sink counter and try to move both feet. I managed to take three or four steps, but wouldn't even look at the walker. Yesterday, after standing again at the sink, taking those same tentative steps as she stood nearby, I found my courage (it had been hiding in a dark corner of my psyche) and agreed to stand at the walker. Long story short, I was able to walk the length of my house (and halfway back) with the walker. It's a long way from a normal walk because I stump ahead with the right, boot encased foot, transfer weight briefly to it, step forward with the left, and repeat BUT I did it! And afterwards, the fear that had taken up residence inside the cage of my chest, opened the door and flew out. Back to the article: in the intervening week, I had returned to the image from the day of the fall when I saw that my foot had been dislocated to one side, out of position under my leg. I spoke to that foot (in my head, not aloud), telling it that it was back where it belonged, that it was healing, that it was supported. I traced a mental image in my head of the supports on the boot, and talked through the process of how the boot wraps my leg from toes to knee. Then I recalled and invoked all the places I have walked outside, the love I feel for those walks, and my gratitude to the right leg and foot for making this possible. It's almost as if my right leg were sitting across from me for a conversation...it sharing its pain and fear and me giving it praise and encouragement for the road ahead.

Sounds crazy I know, but this is similar to the experience of 2002 when I fell and shattered my left wrist. Several surgeries and long months of PT followed...and every night I "talked" to the wrist, reminding it of how it helped me knead bread, play the piano, pick tomatoes...and today it is strong and weightbearing, with about 60% of normal range of motion. So mental images work for me... apologies for the lengthy response!

[lbenmaor in reply to goatgal]

goatgal,

I'm so happy you're doing better. I'm glad the Motor Imaging helped.

Leslie

[Kitsey in reply to goatgal]

Thanks so very much for sharing your experiences. I fully believe in imagery and encouragement to the areas that are trying so hard to heal. The mind/body connection is irrefutable 😉

[lbenmaor in reply to Kitsey]

Thanks Kitsey.

Leslie

[greaterexp]

Here's the link:

multiplesclerosisnewstoday....

[erash]

Yes it does!

[lbenmaor in reply to erash]

Erash,

I'm happy it also works for you. How are you doing?

Leslie

[erash]

Imagining stimulates neuro pathways similarly to doing the activity. But I think being in a deep relaxation state or self hypnotic state influences the response and practice practice practice. Check out visualization and or relaxation for specific effects. I love Emmett Millers stuff

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

lbenmaor Here's the link I found.. us5.campaign-archive.com/?e...

To Share a link, you would right click on your mouse in the address bar at the top, the address "highlights," then right click again and press copy. Then when you get here or wherever you want to "paste" it, press the following keys on your board at the same time- ctrl & v. This process is called "copy and paste". I put a lot of information into word documents which I save for later on. You can do the same with most pictures too. Right click on pic, click copy and then paste or save on a memory device. I'm not a pc expert, but have tried to learn a few tricks.😊

[lbenmaor in reply to CalfeeChick]

Thanks for the link.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

There is truth to this. I believe that I have been practicing a version of this. When I feel a little wobbly, I either hum or sing a song while walking, and I am better able to walk. I thought that by humming or singing, my attention would be 'diverted' from the fear of falling. Thank you for sharing this article with me.

[lbenmaor in reply to carolek572]

I'm glad it helps you also.