[christobelle]

Evening all,

Strange one. I was walking today and noticed my right arm (the side with the symptoms) doesn't swing when I walk. I'm sure it used to. The left arm does.

Has anyone experienced that before or know what it means??

Thanks very much.

[Sparky10]

Yep, yep, yep. Me too. My right is also my symptom side, and I don't know how long I went without swinging that arm. Like you, I read something on a forum about and saw myself.

I don't know why the arm doesn't swing, but try making a point of swinging it. It might be really awkward at first. I suspect once you get the arm back into a semi-normal movement, your walking will improve. Mine did.

Mine swings normally now. How? I attribute it to 2 things.

The first improvement I noticed started after regular visits to a chiropractor. I can hear some readers saying tsk tsk, but my walking improved dramatically after starting chiropractic treatment. Xrays showed that my spine was skewed, most likely from years of picking up my weak right leg with my hip instead of the muscles that are intended for that purpose. The skewed spine is why I limp. I thought one leg was somehow shorter than the other because I measured myself at the doctor's office. I really am one inch shorter when standing on my right leg. It is quite obvious on xray that my hips are no longer even. The chiro cannot totally repair that damage (it is slightly better) but he is certainly keeping it from getting worse.

The other reason my walking is better is Ampyra. Took about maybe 2 weeks to notice that I was much more stable feeling; my balance was better, legs moved easier and quicker.

All this has my arm swinging normally, which is part of normal walking.

[Erika]

Why would some be saying tsk tsk because of chiropractic therapy? We all have to fine what works for us.
I too have received benefit from chiropractic therapies; both standard techniques as well as upper cervical chiropractic therapy.

With love, Erika

[SallyC]

Tsk Tsk, Sparky.

Ya know, after all of these years with MS, I never noticed.

[christobelle]

I also feel as though my right leg is longer. How odd. I never actually thought about the fact that I might be walking off balance to compensate for it though! I must pay attention to that today.

What's the significance of the arm swing though I wonder? It just seems like something completely random!

[SallyC]

I think every one has one leg longer than the other. I have one boob
bigger than the other, but it doesn't effect my gait..

[christobelle]

Hahahaha!!!!! I have one foot half a size bigger than the other too….. uneven creatures we are…...

[NurseNancy]

me too. one foot is 1/2 size larger.
my PT also told me my rt leg is 1/2" shorter than my lt (my bad side) & i have a bad gait problem; MS.

the arm thing may be a fluke, it also may be neurological. just let your dr know when you see him.

[christobelle]

Will do. I'm making a list of things that I didn't realise were happening until lately, when they have either been pointed out to me or I have become more aware of them.

There are so many things that I just thought were part of me and my "ways" that are apparently not!! Ah well. Hopefully get some answers in a few months' time

Thanks all

[NurseNancy]

we call that list a symptom journal.
keep a little notebook with dates and sx's. it may help the dr when you see him.