[rscowboy2005]

Participating in aqua aerobics will always drop my pain a couple of notches for a couple of hours.

And yet, PN affects my mobility so much that when I seemed to stumble going up stairs, a young man behind me asked, "Are you ok?"

It makes sense to me that if I do some strength exercises (to build my legs), it might delay that day when my mobility is so impaired I fall down (losing touch sensation in my feet translates into unsure walking).

But maybe not.

Before I run off and join a gym, I'd like to hear people's thoughts about physical therapy and/or exercise. Is it helpful?

Cowboy

[cyclelops]

My thought is exercise is helpful if not done to excess. Pool exercise is probably wonderful.

[mrsD]

Physical therapy can help you with balance.

The PT I went to was very good (leg injury).

Some PT places also do Anodyne...which can help PN. So if you have insurance coverage, I'd say yes...give it a try.

[rscowboy2005]

[QUOTE=mrsD;623323]Physical therapy can help you with balance.


*** Yes, I notice my balance has gone all wobbly.

***I'll see if I can get a referral.
Thanks.

[daniella]

Well I have RSD and PN and PT with a therapist did not work very well with me. What has helped me is increasing my ability to do certain things like my walking time which I slowly increased like 5 minutes a week or two till I built up to a better time. I had a hard time in the pool but many find it of great benefit so may try again. I know for me if I don't use it I loose it but it is finding a happy med cause otherwise I pay in terms of long term pain.

[Raglet]

My PT tells me aqua therapy is great in terms of building strength, but it will not help with balance as the water does all that for you, so it does not challenge you to work on your balance.

If you want to work on your balance, do it on dry land - wobble boards in the middle of parallel bars so you have something to grab on to, standing on one foot, or if you can't do any of that (which I can't) sit on a swiss ball and slowly raise one foot at a time.

Have your PT work out a schedule for you if you want to work on your balance. Personally I did not find exercise helpful for improving my balance or posture, but it certainly has improved my muscle strenght which is really important. I have numb feet too, plus a variety of other balance issues.

hth
raglet