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Claire - what exercise equipment do you recommend?
dth2m5
Member Posts: 11 Listener
What kind of exercise equipment do you recommend for someone with sciatica and general back chronic pain?
We have been thinking of a vibrating foam roller for back stretch/massage, exercise bands, and maybe a roman exercise chair.
Thoughts?
Thank you so much!
Doug
We have been thinking of a vibrating foam roller for back stretch/massage, exercise bands, and maybe a roman exercise chair.
Thoughts?
Thank you so much!
Doug
Replies
What are your guys' thoughts on a vibrating foam roller?
I have a vibrating massager (that sounds dodgy.....not sure how to describe it! Firm cushion....) that hubby bought a few years ago. My pain was completely uncontrolled - this was before my spinal cord stimulator - and I couldn't cope with the vibration, it just seemed to ramp up the sciatica. But.....more recently I have found it helps and I think maybe maybe the vibration helps act as a deterrent, maybe in a similar way to TENS and my scs. A roller sounds a bit more gentle so I would give it a go!
Swimming is a great form of exercise - if your nerve pain can tolerate the water temperature (I can't), but most advice seems to be to stay away from breast stroke. I do have a friend who swears by her hot tub! Not on most of our radars sadly.
I do use exercise bands for resistance exercises - great for me as I dislocate easily and regularly so struggle with weights or sometimes supporting my own body weight. The same physio who got me using bands, also recommended a gym ball for sitting exercises to build up the core. I have recently been introduced to Plexus wheels (other makes out there I believe) which are another form of massaging the back but also building up muscles.....worth a look, but I haven't had enough experience to give a really honest opinion though and they are quite pricey.
Not sure about the roman exercise chair - will have to look that one up! After my original back surgery aged 21 I took up yoga which I think probably kept me going until my back completely gave up on me aged 39. Since I have tried to keep up some of the core work and stretches but swapped to pilates - I follow videos on You tube as I couldn't manage a full length class now, nor the cost. I will try to remember to look up some links and post tomorrow.
Finally, as bed is calling, for a slightly more energetic workout (my kids would laugh) I try to use my neighbour's exercise bike and treadmill - walking you understand, not running!! I would walk outside, but it is very hilly here and I just can't manage to walk in the same way that I can on the treadmill with the zimmer frame like handles!! If you are like me some of the pilates might be a bit too slow, despite the pain.
Wow....hadn't meant to write so much. Hope this is slightly useful, Doug!
Claire
Chronic Pain Advisor
Scope
[email protected]
scope.org.uk
Wow, you have a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for contributing. Looking forward to those links!