Guest guest Posted July 28, 2004 Report Share Posted July 28, 2004 Sameer: Are you able to join a gym or walk/stand during lunch breaks or take other breaks during the day? I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I perform outreach to help homeless veterans. Fortunately for me this means I get to drive and move around some during most days. Also fortunately, most of the distances I have to walk are not especially long or difficult CMT wise. Once in a while I have a meeting on the other side of the medical center and I have to walk a long distance and I get self-conscious and my feet drop more.. But this is not often.. Anyway, I started going to the gym regularly, at least three times per week, almost two years ago. Since that time, my walking speed has progressed to the extent that I can keep up with most of the strides of others who are unaffected by disability. I think my balance is also better. I have also lost about ten pounds and gained endurance and stamina. At the gym I use an eliptical machine; it is a machine where you can run in place but there are pedals under your feet so there is no impact on the joints and my feet can't drop. I also take Pilates classes and swim on occasion. And, like Gretchen, I try to walk in sand or bicylce when I can too. In the winter, I ski. The exercise has not cured my CMT: I still have high arches, hammer toes, balance problems, occasional foot drop and weak, skinny hands. But, I feel I can function better and I also just feel better overall physically. In many ways, I think my CMT is better than it was years ago instead of worse.. mostly because of the exercise. I bet that if you are creative about it there are plenty of ways to make your daily life less sendentary without necessarily having to quit your job or have surgery.. It is up to you, but I would also suggest starting with in shoe orthotics as opposed to AFOs if you can.. AFOs may help you walk a lot faster but they may also prevent muscles that you have that are still functional from being used and these will atrophy more quickly. If you need AFOs, ABSOLUTELY get them... safety comes first, but I would start with the smaller assistive devices and work your way up.. Just my two cents; I hope it helps. Peace, Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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