Working Out with a Chronic Condition

Hi everyone!

My name is Bianca and I'm currently working on my senior thesis. I have felt a personal connection to fitness and health for a large portion of my life. I was overweight as a child, and had to quickly accept that my metabolism was not the same as my peers and that I had to learn how to take care of my body to stay healthy. While this began as making better choices when it came to food, it eventually evolved into a love for running and dance, which, unfortunately, turned into chronic runner's knee. Between this and my minor scoliosis I have felt very limited in what I can do. In addition to this, I also have acid reflux that likes to make an appearance during any form of cardio. That's when my boyfriend suggested I look on here for advice because he's on here daily for his ulcerative colitis. He thought this would be a great place for me to get feedback for this project. :)

This frustration of trying to find work outs and exercises that I can use, and feel the strain where I'm supposed to, has become the inspiration behind my thesis. I am looking to create a platform that is more aimed toward those with chronic conditions and disabilities. I am new to the world of health forums and the like, and would really love some feedback on if you guys experience the same frustration I do, if you've found any solutions, if anything I described already exists, etc. From my personal experience, I have found that things like "ab exercises for scoliosis" and "acid reflux diet" do exist, but are not always effective and there's never much conversation around the post/video/what have you. Also, physical therapy/seeking medical help is the most obvious option, but not everyone has time to commit, unless the condition is truly debilitating, or has found success through those traditional avenues. I would love for people with these frustrations to be able to open an app, or go to a website, and be able to find information on how to work out, other ways to help, diets that help, and a strong community and comment section that discusses the post and people's personal experiences/successes/failures/tweaks, just like "normal" people do every day.

So, what do you think?!

P.S. If you actually read this whole thing I am SO grateful!

Welcome to He and the chronic pain forum. As Vowed staying active is vital to our health and with many different conditions suffered here it's difficult to say one main exercise plan will fit all. Some having spinal issues at different levels,knee, shoulders, hips,and the list goes as well as those like myself who have the misfortune of having dual issues therefore plans have to be tailor made to fit each of the challenges. Finding an already made video or workout plan is difficult at best. What may be feasible for my spinal health may be too much or unacceptable for my knees.

After 15 yesterday of dealing with CP and weight gain caused from meds and immobility at times of this journey and insurance limiting physical therapy sessions I was introduced to Hydrotherapy. I have been actively participating at about 3-4 times a week for 2 years and what a difference its made in my overall health. I occasionally enroll for a water aerobics class at the Y but usually work alone these days after a local trainer and physical therapist taught me basics.

Its awesome and I have no worries I will cause more damage to my horrible knees or risk further injury to my lumbar region.

Welcome to Healing Well! Hope you find what you are looking for here.

PT has worked well for me so far on this journey. I'm fairly new. My wonderful PT is very close to my home, gives me lots of things to do at home on my own.

You might like to read a previous post here about what members do for pain other than medication. In the Search box above, put "Besides your meds" and you will find it.

You hit the nail on the head!!

The traditional, standard, run-of-the-mill apps/videos/programs are NOT (and I mean every single capital letter in that word!)....meant for people with any type of chronic illness, and in my experience, CP ranks way up at the top.

It's *because* of my unique experiences that I am more in tune to these differences than someone who's run-of-the-mill healthy, normal, average.... That stuff can hurt us or worse yet, injure us.

This is where personal and unique relationships with qualified individuals comes in to play. We cannot afford to be 'processed' like everyone else, and most people, straight up, don't get it.

If you find someone who does get it, it can make the difference between living life with activity, and life on a couch....





M.