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We have community members that have been advised against walking or are not able to walk. Will the PT's and fitness professionals please share exercises that can be done sitting? Thank you.
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Exercise For People That Have Been Advised Not to Walk?
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15 replies
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- By karenatheklineback
- Posted June 10, 2009 at 5:38 pm
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If you have been advised not to walk you'll probably want to see a physical therapist that can sit down (no pun intended) with you and create a program. Doctors do their doctoring really well but if you are looking for exercises get a prescription for physical therapy. There are plenty of exercise programs that are seated. There is even a nationwide exercise program called 'Sit and be Fit'. Get a good few pointers and then you'll be on your way. Karena
- By SequoiaHealth
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 7:19 am
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Hi Sdivas:
I would like to answer but would want to know why someone would be told not to walk.
Woody
- By IdaGrace
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 12:31 pm
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I'm not a professional but know that there are good exercises that can be done from sitting or even lying down positions. Our local YMCA has programs designed for seniors that are mainly done from sitting positions.
- By MotherGoose
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 7:59 am
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I concur with Woody.
Why would these people be told this?
They must be VERY unsafe standing -- thus in need of physical therapist in the first place.
(And the term, Karena, is "referral" to a physical therapist, not "prescription" -- we are not dispensing pills. Furthermore, people can see a PT directly in almost all the states in the country).
As to sitting exercises --- people in need of exercise are doing too much sitting as it is -- weakening their extensor muscles and tightening their flexors. Along with worsening their posture.
Doing exercise while standing at a rail is a possibility if actual walking IS out. And I have found that many -- including myself -- can walk much more easily with Nordic poles and this is great exercise.
But check with an appropriate physical therapist first.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose
- By PartyPlanner
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 8:59 am
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There are some of us who have so much pain when we walk or are on our feet for very long periods of time, that we must sit to receive relief. I am a prime example. I have been on my feet for 2 hours this morning and my legs are killing me. There are days I hurt so bad I'm on the sofa with ice or heat and eliminate walking which is the source of my pain.
- By Lynn_Smit
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 10:46 am
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hi to all
Could it be that these persons with so much pain have Fibromyalgia? Is there anybody out there with this condition?
geetings
Lynn
- By PartyPlanner
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 2:13 pm
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Yes, I have fibro and that is causing a great deal of trouble for me. About the only thing that makes me feel better is pool exercise.
- By debbie59
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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I believe we have a member (Norm?) who is wheelchair bound due to a spinal cord injury. My husband is an incomplete quad, meaning he can walk a little bit with the aid of a cane but spends most of his time in the wheelchair or scooter. He has PT. with the VA, of course you have to be a veteran, but he also has a personal trainer at his fitness club. He can't do a lot of walking as his left side is weak and he swells. He has also tipped over in the chair and has broken ribs and such.
- By debbie59
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 5:05 pm
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I seem to always forget or leave something out. Getting old! My husband broke his neck in the military and that's why he's , what they call an incomplete quadriplegic. He also joined the fitness club for the pool, like someone else posted.
- By Loods
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 9:57 am
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I am a wheelchair user and I get my exercise from cleaning, dusting, ironing, cooking etc..... It is surprising how much you can do even though you are sitting down.
- By debbie59
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 12:20 pm
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I can totally relate to that!! I love my scooter Although I try to walk as much as possible and I do 30 mins. at 2 mph. on the treadmill everyday. I've been blessed with 2 compression fractures in the thoracic area of my spine and have a little copd. Between my husband and I we're a hoot! We have a 10 acre mini-farm (mostly woods ) but we do have gardens that we take care of by ourselves. The gardens that is, we have a mower guy do the grass and I have cleaning ladies 2 times a month. I still have 1 boy at home and he's messy!! Not much help either. He's been around it so long we can't even get pity out of him LOL!!
- By Gigi02
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 10:21 pm
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I am 51 and have had severe osteo for 20+ years. I also have Raynauds disease and cancer. Between all I suffer from major swelling in legs and feet. I have not been able to tolerate fosamax or actonel. I was on forteo for 2 1/2 years and should have tried the oral medication again. I am afraid because of the severe side effects. Something along the way of treatment made my muscles and tendons in legs and feet begin to tear and not heal too. This has really put exercise program for me at a standstill. I am also a single parent so PT has been a bit too costly for me. Can anyone suggest a suitable program? Giving up is too easy :)!
- By really
- Posted July 1, 2009 at 10:41 am
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I had a traumatic fall in 2006 that almost resulted in losing my arm. I still have it thankful to a wonderful ortho who did everything to save it. During the recoup period, I had another fall and broke a bone in my shoulder. In addition, I have lost all the connective tissue in that arm and my main arterty sticks out. (I joke that they can take my pulse from across the room) Dr said if I damage that part of my arm, I would bleed out before anyone could do anything.
I had -4.6 on my scan and had problems with joint/muscle/bone pain when I tried oestro drugs.
On top of it all, I developed epilepsy from the IV drugs and/or multiple infections.
Dr have advised me NOT to walk....too dangerous if I had a seizure or took another fall
- By 101
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 9:53 am
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I am concerned by the statement by a post stating that a PT cannot understand why a person would have been advised NOT to walk and that people sit too much as it is. Many people want to be more active, and by the discussion posted, desire to be active even though they are limited physically.
There are many reasons why people cannot walk, including physical limitations, birth defects, etc. for example, my knee caps completely dislocate. During periods of knee stability, I excercise regularly. When my knees pop out now, it is a major injury. I have completed hours of phyical therapy, but it is not the solution to major defects (althought it is a tool to help).
I want to know about alternative excercise since right now I am not able to walk. I think as a society and as professionals, we need to be more considerate to those who have major limiations or disabilities who choose not to be stopped by them.
Thank you.
- By sdivas
- Posted July 19, 2009 at 1:54 pm
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Hello 101, I'm not a fitness professional, but there are exercises that don't require walking. I always keep in mind Christopher Reeves. He had osteoporosis, but obviously since he could not walk, he worked his upper body. Sitting in a chair with good posture with the chin tucked in will allow the neck to lengthen. We want to be able to turn our heads and look side to side; especially if we are driving. Arms at side, squeeze the shoulder blades. Facing a wall, slide hands up the wall which gives a shoulder stretch or sitting in a chair, lift hands up; also arm circles right and left. Keep the shoulders down and back opening up the chest. Bicep curls with arms down, pulling upward bending at the elbows. Wrist curls bending only the wrist forward and then backward. We can use weights or our own body weight or resistance bands. And if walking in not an option, maybe sitting in a chair doing toe taps or slightly lifting one leg slowly at a time may work. It's really best to work with a health professional where there are additional health concerns. Have you worked with a physical therapist for your knee concerns? If not, ask your doctor for a referral so you can receive the proper exercise instructions for your needs.
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