Even short walls to turn tv over/movement is defiantly the way forwards..
This was reported in yesterday's express.
Personally I have said this all along. After suffering for 7 years with R/A & A/S. I usually do weight training ( because it strengthens the muscles around each joint) & works the whole body- swimming & cycling are both non weight bearing & can be done gently..
After seeing a women at my gym working out in her wheelchair with no legs... It certainly humbles me.She may have no legs, but worked on her upper body.
This research is said to help with o/arthritis but I think gentle excersise can benefit us all.
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Debshe241
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I agree totally. I know that if I can get my stretches done, that things get a little easier and I am in less pain. Unfortunately, I'm lazy (!) and so always put it off but then I pay for it so try very hard to do them regularly. My physio is wonderful and finds me yoga videos on YouTube which have been really helpful and any exercises that I can't do, I leave or she gives me ideas to adapt them. Clemmie
Agree, I only found swimming again after hydro. Problem is it's very short acting!
I use the Move it or Loose it collection of Dvd's some are chair based and others are not, so you can use whichever suits your day. Have to admit am still using the chair based as I can do these better with my rotten feet. Still wishing one day to move further on. Up side I still laugh when doing the can can sitting down!
In addition all my physio exercises given were to do on the bed where is the excuse for not trying? Apart from when the joints and fatigue is bad that's the excuse.
I've been doing Hot Yoga and its helped my joints gain some mobility again and gain some strength again w slow stretch and balance. Could not bend my knees much nor get down on all 4s w/out extreme pain. But after 1 mo attending 3-4 times a week knees and shoulders almost have full mobility back and have gone out to hit tennis balls a couple times. Exercise does help if you can do it.
I am a physiotherapist who has R/A and I agree with what your saying. Just have to be careful not to push things too hard. Listen to your body. Increased exercise stimulates the release of white blood cells similar to when we have an infection. They are released to fight the foreign pathogens in our body and since R/A causes inflammation (stimulates white blood cell release) we don't need more as long term uncontrolled inflammation attacks our joints (thus the medication). If my medications have everything under control (nil joint pain or swelling, good range of movement) then I tend to go a bit harder, lift heavier and swim laps with a sprint lap every 4 laps, but I don't recommend that for others.
Yes agree. I teach Tai chi and all of us are disabled in some way. It really does help. With this I can go slow or not. I am under investigation at present for a ? TIA. All tests have come out 100% OK so far. MRI to come and feel absolutely terrified of it. Any noise takes me back to the war and anything makes me nervous. I put a question on but had no answers. To go back to exercise though. GP and Consultant said to continue 'with Tai chi as it is the best exercise no matter what is wrong'.
to skeggy - I found the clanking in the MRI scan rather reassuring - at least I knew that someone/something was happening. I didn't like the silence in between and had to do lots of deep breathing and distraction exercises to keep calm!
I'm off back down the gym, not my favourite place to be honest! I preferred my exercise to be lengthy walks in the great outdoors, with fresh air and beautiful scenery!
I wouldn't say I'm unfit as my job is very physical and involves a lot of walking around large airports! Fortunately I'm part time and up til now I'm managing. I really need to strengthen my muscles in a non weight bearing way so that they will be stronger to bear the weight when I am working. My plan is swimming, cycling and weight training. Just typing that fills me with horror!!
Recent pain in my feet has caused me to walk awkwardly and in turn caused my calf muscle to stretch, then going up the stairs at home I had excruciating pain and I think I've torn the muscle I'm trying to rest up best I can and keep weight off it. As I've only just been referred to Rheumy I don't have access to any physiotherapy yet.
Just shows though how important it is for us to keep our muscles strong as I think we put a lot more pressure on them than people who don't suffer joint pain.
Sorry to here about your calf. If you are still able to weight-bear and walk then standard treatment is rest as much as you can, elevate limb, ice to area 15min or until numb each hour, compression bandage, light non-weight -bearing stretching without increased pain, I'd also add taking anti-inflammation drugs, but being an R/A sufferer you are probably on a lot of that stuff already. A heel lift inside the shoe on the painful side for a week or so takes some of the stretch off the calf muscle, but don't leave in more than a few weeks. Once pain settles (means inflammation response has settled in area) then heat creams can be used, stretching w/out causing pain, increased walking as able, then slowly increase loading exercises to area, but listen to your body (this is not one of those times to say no pain no gain). This is not an on-line consultation, it's just what I would do myself if I had this injury. Good luck!
Thank you Johno, excellent advice and pretty much what I've been doing. Yes i'm already on anti inflammatories. I'm just so clumsy when I'm up and about. Since the injury I've tripped on the iron flex and at a friends yesterday I fell over the baby gate in kitchen door, while carrying her baby, oops, Fortunately didn't drop baby! So I'll carry on with this routine you've recommended and hope for the best. I'm on days off now but due back to work on Friday, here's hoping!
I try to go to the gym every day, despite the pain . I may not be able to achieve much but it is my achievement and I'm proud of it!
I was only allowed 6 physiotherapy sessions on the NHS, I found them so very helpful, but six just wasn't enough and actually left me feeling low and demotivated, as I had done so much in the sessions, but was then left dangling with no way of moving forwards.
Thankfully I picked myself up and turned things around by forcing myself to the gym, and now I love it! I also see a chiropractor to help keep me as mobile as possible.
Now trying to save enough money to see a physio privately, but still a little way to go yet! Xx
Being on the chronic disease list should give you access to 6 free visits to most allied health professions per year via medicare. So all depending on how long ago you have been, you may be entitled to more now. If that is out for a while then you may only need to save up for 2 visits to your physio, but may I suggest having a chat to him and seeing if you can have him use one of the visits to complete a full pictured exercise program with explanations about each exercise that you can continue independently (Your physio may have done this, but it needs to have exercises that you can remember, do easily and understand how to advance each exercise as required/needed). The second visit can be a one on one going through each exercise to make sure you understand them. Then you can have periodic sessions (as required/as you can afford them) with the physio just to see you are keeping good form with your exercises and doing the right stuff. Don't forget this is something we as R/A sufferers continue for life so education on self management is part of it. Also a good stretching (no bouncing or pushing too far with stretch, and massage can do wonders.
I hope this makes sense, I have not long woken up, time for a cuppa.
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I'm trying to rest up best I can and keep weight off it. As I've only just been referred to Rheumy I don't have access to any physiotherapy yet. 
Why does everyone you talk to have arthritis?
Is it arthritis please help
is this psoriatic arthritis?
Arthritis help line
