exercise and drop......

airwave

Hi All,
Just been swimming in the local spa, first time in about 5 years, much nicer than the usual cold public baths, not crowded either, and only 5' deep so you can put your feet down anytime. I used to be able to swim miles at a time. Can't do front crawl these days, tried to restrict swimming to ROM on my shoulders (a sort of half breast stroke and a doggy paddle), not quite successful and did get cramp in my foot of all places, floating on my back and gently moving hands was very nice and eventually managed 15 lengths of the 15m pool.

I might even go again next week. Mind you the nice warm jacuzzi afterwards is worth the money just to stretch across the tub and let all those bubble jets pummel your back, perhaps we should all have one installed!

Has anyone else got any suggestions for some mild exercise at gentle expense that is fun?


8) Its a grin, honest.

frogmorton

Well done Airwave
For starting the exercise!
I do that back stroke floaty-thingy too!!!
There are one or tow older people with OA at my gym who 'walk' in the water. They reckon it helps :?:
I tied yoga and pilates, but couldn't get back off the floor!!! :oops:
Some people looked at me as if I should be able to which upset me a bit.
The other thing is ti chi which I like and do what I can.
Keep it up
Toni x

jimmy77

airwave wrote:

Hi All,
Just been swimming in the local spa, first time in about 5 years, much nicer than the usual cold public baths, not crowded either, and only 5' deep so you can put your feet down anytime. I used to be able to swim miles at a time. Can't do front crawl these days, tried to restrict swimming to ROM on my shoulders (a sort of half breast stroke and a doggy paddle), not quite successful and did get cramp in my foot of all places, floating on my back and gently moving hands was very nice and eventually managed 15 lengths of the 15m pool.

I might even go again next week. Mind you the nice warm jacuzzi afterwards is worth the money just to stretch across the tub and let all those bubble jets pummel your back, perhaps we should all have one installed!

Has anyone else got any suggestions for some mild exercise at gentle expense that is fun?


8) Its a grin, honest.

Hi,

I have been swimming now several times a week in a full size pool for over 4 years. I can swim long distances well, but when I first started it was tough. It keeps the swelling down in the joints nicely. I definitely attribute this to allowing me to be general physically active, cycling and golfing, most days.
A word of caution is that you have to keep it up on a regular basis. It can be very easy to skip sessions, and slumber back into the soft chair which does you no good.

jimmy

lindalegs

I used to have a good swimming stroke but I'm unable to swim altogether now because of RA.

The pool exercises I was given by the hospital are:

*Walk a width in the water - forwards, backwards and then sidewards to the left then right.
*Hold on the side and bend both knees as far as comfortably possibly, then straighten
*Hold on the side and standing on one leg bring one knee upwards, straighten it then keeping it straight take it gently out behind you. Repeat with other leg.
*Hold on to side and standing on one leg bring your knee upwards and then take it out to the side then straighten. Repeat with other leg.
*Hold on to side and standing on one leg take your leg out to the side keeping it straight - repeat with other side.
*Hold on the side and stand on tiptoes and then follow through to your heel in a small rocking motion.

Hope I've explained these graphically enough. I usually repeat these exercises 10 times each.

I must stress that these exercises were given to me after assessment by a trained physiotherapist and they always said to only do them if I didn't feel any pain in my joints so it is always best to check with your GP or rheumy before trying them - although walking in the water should be a fairly safe one to try.

Luv Legs

Wonkylegs

have you thought of trying T'ai Chi?

I do LFA T'ai Chi (Lee Family Arts) although there are many different styles. Some are more martial-arts based, but this style is specifically aimed at health and well-being, and I have found it to be the best kind of exercise that I have ever tried. Something of a miracle really, as I have been doing it for nearly 18 months!

It takes a while to work out whether it is for you or not, and you need to listen to your body and only do what is right for you that day - bit like life for us really, so no change there!

Round here they have adult education classes for a few weeks as a taster, and the college runs courses, or there may be a class in a hall near you.

maddyc

Swimming it is for me too, started going regularly after diagnosis two years ago and could do little at first but I have worked my way up to going three times a week. I find it great for flexibility and even pain relief (good old endorphins). I don't go when I have a major flare up though. I also find I can be a lot more mobile in the water when out which is good for my head!

Maddy