Exercise Ideas??

[cbrfan]

I'm having a problem with exercising. You see, I have lupus which cause alot of pain in different areas of my body. Currently it's in my neck and shoulders. I've been riding a Schwinn Aerodyne for exercise lately and it's causing me considerable pain. I'd like to walk instead but have stress fractures in one foot. (I know, I need a little cheese with that whine. ). Anyway, does anyone know of any kind of exercise I could do that has only minimal neck, shoulder and foot involvement?

 

[ohMom]

how about water aerobics??? our local YMCA offers classes

would yoga help? i'm don't know alot about lupus but I was thinking if you could non-impactly strength up then maybe it would reduce your pain???

 

[cbrfan]

Hmmm. I hadn't thought of yoga. I might have to investigate that possibility! Thanks, ohMom!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

My thoughts exactly. If you can't get to the walk/bike thing. Can you get to the water somehow? There you will find the best low/non impact exercise.

If you are having "issues" with shoulder and neck pain, would strengthening the body muscles in general help? To the yoga, I might also recommend you add pilates as your core muscles would also become strengthened. Perhaps that might take off stress you feel elsewhere.

Another thought is to try a recumbant bicycle either stationary or road worthy. If you can get to the gym and try a recumbant that will give you a good cardio and not put stress on the same joints. Our ortho swears by recumbant bike exercise.

Lastly, and perhaps it should have been firstly; what about asking your doc what is a recommended form of movement for you. I would love to hope that this person you see would be supportive of any movement you can find and would assist in some healthy suggestions.

Good luck in your quest. Let us know what you have found.

 

[cbrfan]

Thanks for the advice. The recumbant bike sounds like that might be the ticket. I'll also check with my rheumatologist when I see her in Sept. So far the only suggestion I've gotten from her was to get physical therapy. I'm a little hesitant to go that route because the last time it made the problem worse. But at this point I'm willing to try just about anything. Maybe a combination of yoga and recumbant bike??

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

It is worth a try. Start off slowly and see what works. As you get stronger I would definitely suggest some pool activity. That is a really great low impact exercise.

 

[ncmomof2]

I agree with swimming! My mom has had neck and back pain for years. She has tried everything! The only thing that helps her is swimming. I strengthens those muscles and has low resistance(nothing on your feet). Good luck!