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Tips for physio....
niceboots
Member Posts: 196 Pioneering
I'm sure everyone on here has their own ways of doing physio and has adapted their exercises to suit them, here's a few things I do to make physio work for me!!
where I can I get someone to help!! It's not always easy as an adult to get someone to help with physio, not like when I was a child and my parents or the school nurse would put me through a regime of physio everyday - not to mention the weekly visits from the physio or to the hospital!!! Nowadays a few friends are willing to help out when they can, one has a brother with cp, so understands cp and is used to helping with stretching, which comes in really handy.
Some people are a bit nervous of helping, as they are scared of hurting me or don't think they will be able to, but once I've talked them through it and assured them that they're not going to hurt me, they're fine!
I also have lots of equipment to help me too - especially handy for when I'm doing physio by myself, these include:
weighted sandbags - I use these almost like an extra pair of hands to keep my limbs where I want them, and to get a better stretch. I have two and they weigh 5kg each, so they can apply a good firm pressure. They work really well together placed across my pelvis when laying on my front, to get a really good stretch in my hip flexors.
A peanut physio ball (also known as a physio roll) - This I sit on like a horse to get a good stretch on my adductors. It can also be used in different ways and is great for people with balance problems, as it is more stable than a traditional physio ball.
A stretching strap (or yoga strap) - I use to help with stretching as it is more versatile and I find easy to hold than the rolled up towel favoured by physios'
I also use my splints to help stretch to... for example my leg gaiters to help stretch my hamstrings and keep my legs where I want them, they are great at stopping my legs from bending and rolling in. I use them on alternate legs for some exercises, for example when I need to keep one leg straight or to help one leg still while working on the other.
I also wear them overnight to keep my hamstrings stretched out.
where I can I get someone to help!! It's not always easy as an adult to get someone to help with physio, not like when I was a child and my parents or the school nurse would put me through a regime of physio everyday - not to mention the weekly visits from the physio or to the hospital!!! Nowadays a few friends are willing to help out when they can, one has a brother with cp, so understands cp and is used to helping with stretching, which comes in really handy.
Some people are a bit nervous of helping, as they are scared of hurting me or don't think they will be able to, but once I've talked them through it and assured them that they're not going to hurt me, they're fine!
I also have lots of equipment to help me too - especially handy for when I'm doing physio by myself, these include:
weighted sandbags - I use these almost like an extra pair of hands to keep my limbs where I want them, and to get a better stretch. I have two and they weigh 5kg each, so they can apply a good firm pressure. They work really well together placed across my pelvis when laying on my front, to get a really good stretch in my hip flexors.
A peanut physio ball (also known as a physio roll) - This I sit on like a horse to get a good stretch on my adductors. It can also be used in different ways and is great for people with balance problems, as it is more stable than a traditional physio ball.
A stretching strap (or yoga strap) - I use to help with stretching as it is more versatile and I find easy to hold than the rolled up towel favoured by physios'
I also use my splints to help stretch to... for example my leg gaiters to help stretch my hamstrings and keep my legs where I want them, they are great at stopping my legs from bending and rolling in. I use them on alternate legs for some exercises, for example when I need to keep one leg straight or to help one leg still while working on the other.
I also wear them overnight to keep my hamstrings stretched out.
Replies
Playing some music while I'm doing my physio, I find helpful.
Some of my stretches I do in the bath while muscles are normally more relaxed.
I try and get in the habit of doing my stretches and as often as possible combining them with things I also have to do every day. Even sat at my desk at work I can be working on different Stretches, to try and maintain as much function as possible. It is very much an on going task, but worth it.
I also have used my wii board to try and improve my balance and stretch my feet, much safer to than a wobble board!! Just make sure you have something near by to grab hold of, for when you have involuntary spasms and loose your balance!
There are some interesting studies that have been done mainly in the States on the use of the Nintendo Wii board and CP. Something I would like to explore some more in the future.
I'd be interested to hear how you get on. I haven't worn gaiters for 26 years! I think I probably should though.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Will wear them during my conductive education session Sauturday