Christine's exercises

Submitted by Sunny on September 18, 2011 - 12:57am
Body: 

Hi
I just realised I had a prolapse a few months ago and was rather freaked. I am 68 years old. It was such a relief to find this website. My query is about the exercises on the DVD for the elderly. I also have severe rheumatoid arthritis which affects many joints but particularly my hands and feet, wrists and ankles, so cannot do all of the exercises as shown. I have made adaptations where I can and just need to check this is all okay. It is very difficult for me to get up and down from the floor but I have a long bench with a firm seat that I can use for the exercises which are done lying down or kneeling. However I cannot bend my wrists much so cannot kneel on all fours. I am doing those exercises by resting on my forearms instead of hands. Re seated exercises I cannot clench my fists or spread my fingers much but am simply doing what I can and imagining the full action! I am a strong believer in the power of imagination! Re standing exercises I cannot rise onto the balls of my feet at all so have to imagine that part. Don't quite understand the second last exercises where you turn your head to the side and lean back. Are you supposed to be immobile from the waist down and just leaning back from the waist? Is the stretch then supposed to be felt at the front of the torso? What is the point of turning the head?
I am also wondering if there is any connection between RA and uterine prolapse? While RA mainly affects joints it can affect internal organs and as it does attack ligaments and cause muscle wastage I'm wondering if this may have caused my prolapse. Does anyone know of any research about this?

doglovertoronto

September 18, 2011 - 3:55am

There are a couple of web sites if you search for yoga and rheumatoid arthritis that may be helpful to you.
RA may be a contributing factor for sure but alot of us who don't have RA and have prolapses due to muscle and ligament weakness.
There are plenty of easy exercises to do, pelvic tilts, core exercises that can be done lying down.
I went to a yoga teacher and had her show me primarly pelvic and abd exercises and have been doing them faithfully twice a day.
I have had remarkable results.
Perhaps what you need to do is sit down with a physiotherapist and they will show you what exercises work best with your RA.
Good luck and don't get discouraged.It took me 8 mos before I started to see a difference.
Michele

Christine

September 18, 2011 - 10:30pm

Hello and welcome, Sunny,

It sounds like you have done well adapting the exercises to your particular needs. We also do certain exercises on knees and forearms, which works just fine. You can also do firebreathing standing (bend at hips and knees, placing hands on thighs - keep one long line from crown of head to tailbone). Good job using visualization! The mind is a powerful thing!

Yes, the backbend is a gentle stretch for the upper body. Turning your head to the side allows your head to hang from and be well supported by the large sternocleidomastoid (I know, it’s a mouthful) muscle on either side of your neck. We are keeping the hips stationary and bending straight back from the waist. Only bend as far as feels comfortable. Yes, the stretch is felt throughout the front of the torso and is tugging slightly on the round ligaments of the uterus to help pull it forward.

I think it is much more likely that decades of conventional posture and unnatural breathing have slowly pushed your bladder and uterus backward toward the vaginal opening. The RA can’t help, but prolapse effects almost all of us eventually. My hope is that by returning to your natural posture you will be able to ease your prolapse symptoms and thereby reduce your overall stress levels too.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Sunny

September 19, 2011 - 4:44am

Thanks for your very prompt and helpful response Christine.

Sunny

September 19, 2011 - 4:55am

Thanks Michele. I will investigate

kmscott66

September 19, 2011 - 11:20pm

I am 69 with a torn muscle in my right rotary cuff, arthritis in my hips, lower back pain, and POP. All of this seems to be a part of aging. This doesn't stop me from moving on and enjoying life. I've gradually increased the exercises, with some creative changes to meet my needs. All of my chronic problems have improved since dedicating myself to the exercises, posture, and fire breathing. I wake up stiff and sore, shower, exercise and off to a full day of work pretty much pain free. My body is more balanced and stronger than before I started. During the day, I do a little firebreathing when using the washrooms at school. Every little thing helps keep my organs in place. I found it especially important to practice the glossary of terms used in the workout. If I'm going to exercise, I want to do it right so it benefits my body. I'm getting familiar enough with the DVD so I can do some of the steps ( when I'm short of time) on my own. Again, every little effort helps. This program has helped more than my POP. Hopefully, I'll never have to face hip replacement because of these exercises. I'll never give up or make excuses......life has too much to offer.

kiwigirl

September 20, 2011 - 5:00am

You have inspired me, thank you, Im now back to doing my yoga! All the best and may we all improve greatly whilst keeping a positive attitude :-)