[Jen]

I'm hoping someone here can give me some advice. My mom has developed arthritis in her spine and is currently having so much back pain that she can stand for only short amounts of time. She cannot take a lot of pain relievers or anti-arthritis medication because of chronic kidney disease. She is looking into some physiotherapy but I'm not sure how much good it will do if she cannot stand very long. Also she is not sure if she can afford it as her work insurance will only pay for some of it. I'm willing to pay for the balance of it so she can get some help. I would also like to buy her some light weights and see if there are some exercises she can do from a sitting position that would help strengthen her back and abdominal muscles. Ideally the best solution would be for her to start kidney dialysis so that she could take some medication that would help her back but that is a whole other kettle of fish.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[Mindi]

Jen, does she like videos? Collagevideo has a lot of workout tapes designed for seniors and also for those who have 'special needs' like sitting workouts.

You may want to visit their website at www.collagevideo.com and take a look, they feature clips of the videos so you can get an idea of what you want. Or you can order a catalog to review too.

Hope that will help!

[MrsJim]

Just to add to what Mindi said - I myself am definitely *not* qualified to answer this question - sounds like something she needs to talk to her physician before she tries any type of weight training...

Acupuncture might be worth looking into as well to assist in the arthritis...see what her doctor has to say...

[Jen]

Her dr has okayed physiotherapy but as she can't stand for very long it will have to be something she can do sitting down. I was thinking that after her physiotherapy was over I could give her something like what Mindi suggested so she would continue on at home otherwise she would probably not exercise.

Thanks for the suggestion Mindi!

[stef]

Jen your mum absolutely should go to a physiotherapist. They are the professionals, If your mum can't stand then the physio will sort her out with appropriate alternatives - that is thier expertise and their job!

Please don't get her a video, they won't address her specific health needs and she could do herself some damage! Instead be supportive, take her to her physio sessions, learn her needs and support her in her homework!! Most physios will give homework, so you need not spend out on any other stuff!

Physio sessions can be very tiring and sometimes painful - but that is part of the process of improving conditions and, in your mums case, helping her overcome some of her mobility probelms.

If a physio, knowing your mums condition, insists that your mum sholud stand to do an exercise, then you can be sure that it is because it is the most beneficial thing for her to do. In some cases pushing people beyond their comfort zone is what those of us who deal in rehabilitative work strive for. We know the benefits of pushing some things, and the dangers of letting other things be!

So please, if her GP has recommended a physio then encourage you mum to go. Help her get her head round the fact that it may be hard, but it wil be worthwhile!

I hope your mum enjoys her sessions, come back if you want any info - I am not a physio but I work with people who have completed physio programmes - sort of care out in the community!