Anyone know of any good exercises for core training for people with M.S.? my dr recommended these types of exercises? Also what about exercises for balance?

I go to Curves. It is for women only. It uses hydraulics and not weights. It is a 30 minute program but you don't have to do all 30 minutes. What it is is that there are exercise machines and resting spots and you are on each one for 30 seconds. You do what you want on the resting spots. When I started, I could only move my hips back and forth. Now I sort of jog in place. You go through the cycle twice. You can choose just once if you want. What I did was to start out on one. When I did OK with that, I did three days of two cycles. Then I increased to M-W-F of two cycles and T-Th of one cycle. I am now up to two cycles daily. You are weighed and measured once a month. There are no mirrors or cute thin little coaches. Oh, it costs $29/month + a sign up fee. If you have automatic check withdrawal, you can go to any Curves in the nation so you can continue while you are out of town. On my first monthly check, I had lost 3 pounds and 8 inches!!!!!!! My next check is this Tuesday. So wish me luck. They do insist that you get an OK from your Doc first. But this is very low impact. Good luck

Thanks doydie, how is your balance, i use a walker? I also use a wheel chair?

I heard about an MS exercise video a few years ago, but never found it. Someone else might know about it, repost this on the BT1 forum when it comes back online.

Also check with your local MS Sociaty chapter, they might have the video available for loan, or might even sponsor aqua fitness classes.

For balance exercises, your neuro should refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in balance or vertigo issues. They are out there, I have been to one. They will evaluate your specific needs and abilities, then work with you and also give you exercises to do at home.

Good luck!

Hi christine,

A while back Teva Neuroscience gave me an exercise DVD because I'd taken part in a survey.

It seems to be an excellent program. One part is tai chi, and the other is yoga--for people with MS. The participants demonstrating the exercises all have MS.

You can find out more about this DVD and other MS exercise DVDs if you go to:

http://www.msawareness.org

There are several other DVDs for sale there.

My PT had me use a Swiss ball
for balancing & core strength.

Me too, V. I fell off constantly..lol

Also, a PT showed me a balancing technique....Stand with feet slightly apart, eyes open, with a bar to grab or hold, (I use the kitchen sink.lol) and something behind you...a wall (or fridge, in my case), move your body, slowly, in different directions ( side to side and front to back) and try to keep from falling. It really strengthens leg muscles and helps train you to balance yourself.

Since LDN has improved my balance, I can sometimes do it with eyes closed, holding on to bar, of course. before LDN, if I closed my eyes, I would just fall right over..splatt.

I'm not advising this technique for anyone, just telling you what has worked for me. My legs are still pretty strong, so if you have weak legs, it could be risky.

I also have a tape, made by a Nurse with MS, but I found them too difficult. It's hard for me to get down on the floor and even harder to get up.

Good Luck with your search, Christine.