Exercise & Recovery Forum

[Wise Young]

There has been discussion originally posted in the Announcement & Feedback forum about the possibility of establishing a forum for people who have recovered substantially after spinal cord injury. I just changed the name of this forum to Exercise & Recovery. This should provide a place and "home" for members of CareCure who have recovered through exercise to post their experience and to discuss how they facilitated and maximized their recovery.

One question is whether and how to draw the line between exercise-induced "recovery" and "cure" of spinal cord injury. Some may argue that exercise is a form of therapy and cure. But, in some ways, it is different. A majority of people with "incomplete" spinal cord injury will recover without specific treatment to regenerate or remyelinate the spinal cord. There is ample evidence that intensive repetitive exercise such as treadmill walking and electrical stimulation assisted activity will restore function in people with spinal cord injury.

There was some concern that people might get the impression that exercise alone will restore function and some people may be disappointed exercise does not. Exercise is necessary for recovery but not always sufficient for recovery. In other words, for some people, particularly those with "incomplete" spinal cord injury, exercise will facilitate and even extend recovery. However, for some people exercise will restore function. That is why therapy is necessary. Note that "curative" therapies are likely to require exercise and training to maximize recovery.

People should continue to post about therapies and "cure" related discussion in the Cure Forum. Recovery that is exercise-related or non-therapeutically gained should be posted here. If there is confusion or this change does not help, we can always change it back. Thanks.

Thanks.

Wise.

[zoki83]

Dr.Young,

In your opinion, what would be the best exercise program to follow for people that are anticipating a 'curative' therapy? Thanks.

[Faye M. Mays]

What exercise?

Dr. Young,

What is the best exercise for droop foot, balance and hyperextension in the knee area?

There has been discussion originally posted in the Announcement & Feedback forum about the possibility of establishing a forum for people who have recovered substantially after spinal cord injury. I just changed the name of this forum to Exercise & Recovery. This should provide a place and "home" for members of CareCure who have recovered through exercise to post their experience and to discuss how they facilitated and maximized their recovery.

One question is whether and how to draw the line between exercise-induced "recovery" and "cure" of spinal cord injury. Some may argue that exercise is a form of therapy and cure. But, in some ways, it is different. A majority of people with "incomplete" spinal cord injury will recover without specific treatment to regenerate or remyelinate the spinal cord. There is ample evidence that intensive repetitive exercise such as treadmill walking and electrical stimulation assisted activity will restore function in people with spinal cord injury.

There was some concern that people might get the impression that exercise alone will restore function and some people may be disappointed exercise does not. Exercise is necessary for recovery but not always sufficient for recovery. In other words, for some people, particularly those with "incomplete" spinal cord injury, exercise will facilitate and even extend recovery. However, for some people exercise will restore function. That is why therapy is necessary. Note that "curative" therapies are likely to require exercise and training to maximize recovery.

People should continue to post about therapies and "cure" related discussion in the Cure Forum. Recovery that is exercise-related or non-therapeutically gained should be posted here. If there is confusion or this change does not help, we can always change it back. Thanks.

Thanks.

Wise.

[Wise Young]

I am sorry that I did not respond to these questions earlier. I don't know the answers to the questions. Wise.

[4wheelen]

What are your suggestions on working towards the recovery of walking. I am six months into it and i can move my legs, laying down, from an VOLUNTARILY!!! Is this good. Im asking for any advise
dockey07@hotmail.com

[Kittyshrine]

I am sad to see that noone has utilized this forum for the reason you have outlined. I have an incomplete SCI at C5-C6. I walked fairly quickly (one and 1/2 months.) I was fairly sedentary for the first four years or so due to severe chronic pain. I also used an AFO due to foot drop on my left side. In 2000 I went to graduate school and was forcd to walk long distances which was therapuetic. I also gained 70 pounds due to a medication I was taking for a different issue so I started doing water aerobics as best as I could due with severe hyperreflexivity as an attempt to lose wieght. In 2003 I began to walk 21/2 miles a day with a coleague who wasn't going to slow down for me, and I learned to keep up. Eventually my foot drop decreased. About two years later I started doing spin classes at the gym which was perfect as it didn't require balance. I eventually began long distance cyling. Eventually a friend talked me into doing a sprint triathlon program and I was able to finish two. My biggest problems are spasticity when running and overheating. SOmetimes I sweat, sometimes I don't. I also fatigue badly at times. Sometimes my left leg becomes spastic and I can't walk for a few days. Right now I am unable to train due to spasticity and fatigue. I have no peers so I don't know what is normal and what isn't. Its been hard. I want to get better at my sport, but I am going backwards right now.

[harpo2]

exercise through increasing neuropathic pain?

Hello, Kittyshrine,
I see you had a period of chronic pain through which you did not exercise. Looking back, would you have exercised through the pain? I have periods of lesser neuropathic pain where I increase my exercising - walking, stretching, light gardening. After a period I find the pressure related pain in feet/buttocks increasing to a higher level, so I ease back to minimal exercise. I am concerned that if I maintain my exercise regime the increased level of pain may become the norm and that, while I am improving physically, I may be regressing in the pain department. What do you think?

[Kittyshrine]

in reply to Harpo

Interesting question: I don't really remember how I moved from chronic pain to working out. I think the best thing is to find a doctor who can advise you and take it easy. You may want to find a level of exercise that does not cause you to flare too much and sustain that level for some time and then increase slowly. I must admit complete and total frustration trying to find guidance or help in this respect from the medical community. I really recommend pool therapy and then when you can tolerate it, aqua aerobics when you can tolerate it. One big thing is to modify everything. If you can't do a move or bounce due to spasticity or hyperreflexivity, do what you can.

[fitsf]

Painful to Talk About

Every time I hear about injuries I cringe. I think in most cases preventative measures could have been taken. Exercising properly lessens the risk of injuries as well as reduces the severity of injuries that happen.

IMO of course

[tralain]

I'm new to these boards with a new L4-5 burst disc and cauda equina syndrome. My injury was only 10 weeks ago, and I'm not sure how to best exercise. I can hobble around in the house on my feet, but use a walker to walk any real distance. What I've done the most is walk, multiple times a day for a total of an hour (about one mile). I try to do regular housework, dishes, laundry, all for my occupational therapy.

I tried my elliptical traniner recently, but could only manage about two minutes before my thighs began to seriously fatigue. My physical therapist suggested I not use the elliptical trainer for now.

Are there any suggestions about how to judge the level of exercise and where to start?

[ken potok]

I had avm surgery and an L5S1 laminectomy in 2003 which resulted in cauda equina syndrome. I had bladder issues which resolved after 8 months.
For the first year after surgery i was walking up to 1 mile a day as well as using the recumbent bicycle for 30minutes at a time. As i increased my activity, i began experiencing flare-ups( acheing pain in and around my tailbone and buttocks) I also had these flare ups if i did too much house work. I now have eliminated most walking and bicycle exercise and instead have switched to Nautilus machine exercise. At this point cardio is not right for me. I woul;d advise you to take it very slow. I would suggest lots of stretching, house work, climbing stairs if possible and walking for the first 6 months. You alsio might want to keep a journal of your daily physical

[lisaann]

Mu husband is a incomplete c7 (6months ago).He is exercizing 5 days a week 3 days going to a personal trainer for resistance training for upper body and improving triceps and therapy at kennedy kreiger 2 times a week. At home using a lot of e-stem. He is making progress with sensory and the doctor is seeing some flickering in his glutes and hamstrings.
We really believe the hard work in really helping.
Lisaann

[alpentalic]

Mu husband is a incomplete c7 (6months ago).He is exercizing 5 days a week 3 days going to a personal trainer for resistance training for upper body and improving triceps and therapy at kennedy kreiger 2 times a week. At home using a lot of e-stem. He is making progress with sensory and the doctor is seeing some flickering in his glutes and hamstrings.
We really believe the hard work in really helping.
Lisaann

Keep at it! With a lot of work, patience and persistance I have been able to capitilize on every twitch and flickering fiber. Don't forget to work the entire body even though there doesn't appear to be anything going yet. Keep us posted on the progress, it is encouraging.

[Adamp2223]

Muscle growth

I am 3 1/2 yrs. post injury at T9. At 14 months post injury I began to have the ability to flex muscle in my legs. Unfortunately at that time my muscle was gone. I feel that I am slowly getting more muscle (stronger) but am still not able to move muy legs.

Is there anything I can be doing to help this process along other than continually flexing and trying to move? Steroids? HGH???

Is this what people that have gotten back up on their feet experience or does everyone experience this?

[adi chicago]

my opinion...everything is regarding to the injury level ,severity of injury as well.keep exercise... will not hurt our bodies.water theraphy is the best ...damn is expensive.