Physical Therapy, Part 2 – Exercise Redefined

Before I start my actual post for today, I just wanted to mention that I attended “MS 2009: Vision for the Next Decade” on Sunday which was, and has always been, an annual free seminar given by the International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice in New York City.

As usual. the presenters at the annual symposium gave some of the most knowledgeable information on the planet regarding MS, cutting edge treatments and its probable cure.  I cannot stress how much I recommend the attendance of anyone with MS, their family, doctors and/or caregivers.  You can learn more about this annual event at http://www.imsmp.org/.  Also they informed us that many of the slides used in the presentation will be available through their website.

Now on with my post which was inspired by the symposium.

Dr. Stephen Kanter, PT, DPT, ATC at the International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice is the Supervisor, Rehabilitation Services.  In his presentation on Sunday at the 2009 Symposium, Dr. Kanter made it very clear ) how a very common thing that we many people with MS do can actually do more harm than good and 2) what constitutes exercise.

I was surprised to learn very recently that approximately 65% of patients with MS have difficulty with their balance.  I did not know it was that large a percentage.

First, the common thing.  Because we may have balance issues, like yours truly, we may sometimes walk near a wall to help with our balance.  I thought this was a good thing.  Well, as it turns out, it is not.  It will actually prolong and/or increase your issues.

If you watch the video on http://www.imsmp.org/ you will notice, in an effort to assist a patient with a balance issue, she is instructed NOT to use the wall.  This actually makes sense to me now.  The wall is akin to a crutch.  If you really want to retrain the brain on what is up and down or left or right, it needs to be done without a wall!

Next, Dr. Kanter discussed what you should be doing in terms of exercise and what you should not be doing.  You really need to rethink the entire exercise dynamic.

For instance, just standing in one spot, for as long as you can, is exercise.  Think about it.  In order to do this seemingly simple thing, your muscles have to work together and you have to relearn what is proper posture.

He also mentioned walking.  He clearly stated not to consider walking during your daily commute to work as enough. You need to specifically pick a time where walking is your only purpose.  I am grateful to him for making that distinction.  Now everyday, I get up from my computer and go outside and take a walk.

The incredible thing is that it was WAY tiring the first day, presumably because I was using muscles that I had not used in a long time.

There is a secondary benefit to taking a walk such as this.  And this applies to any person with an illness of any sort.  A walk promotes going outside and getting fresh air and, on a clear day, sun as opposed to sitting on the couch mesmerized by the TV.   As I will discuss later, people with MS tend to be even more Vitamin D deficient than the rest of the country (which is already Vitamin D deficient because of its diet).   And what is a good source if Vitamin D?  The sun!

It has gotten easier each day I have done it.  So thank you Dr. Kanter for that piece of advice!

Next:  Vision Therapy

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