Putting the Emphasis on What You CAN do!

By Kristin McNealus, PT
Kristin@scitotalfitness.com
scitotalfitness.com
562.645.6348


As this is my first blog for the HomeBoundResources audience, I will start with introducing myself. My name is Kristin, and I am a physical therapist practicing with people who have neurological injuries (i.e. stroke, spinal cord injury, MS, etc.) After years of working on improving the mobility problems my patients were having, I decided to change my focus toward emphasizing what people can do, and how to maximize this to stay healthy!
I love Newton’s Law of Motion “a body at rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion, unless the body is compelled to change its state.” This basic law of physics can be easily applied to our physical state, don’t you agree?

How many of you have put exercise low on your “to do” list so that it frequently is what does not get done? This is common, but you can see how doing this for a week easily becomes a month, and for some – years!

For people who have difficulties with their mobility, do you let your caregivers or loved ones do things for you that you could be doing yourself - which further limits your activity?

For caregivers, do you skip your own workout because you are tired after a day of work?

Let’s discuss some of the positives of incorporating even minimal exercise into your routine if you are limited in your mobility:

- Decrease risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid profile
- People with physical disabilities tend to carry more fat than able-bodied counterpoints, particularly in abdominal area, which is correlated with increased risk of heart disease
- Additional weight impacts function by making transferring and walking more difficult. Exercise and improve or maintain the independence you have!
- Exercise can lower risk of secondary complications of disability such as development of some forms of cancer, respiratory illness, and UTI
- Exercise can decrease feelings of anxiety or stress
- Exercise can manage pain
- Exercise can decrease constipation
- Exercise can improve muscle strength, endurance, self image, and ability to fall asleep and sleep well
- Exercise can reduce hospitalizations!!
- Exercise will improve overall quality of life 

It is important that you encourage your caregivers to help you get exercise, as well as encourage them to incorporate exercise into their own lives!!

Exercise is equally important for caregivers because:

- Decrease risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid profile
- Exercise will decrease your risk of injury from the physical job that you do
- Exercise can decrease feelings of anxiety or stress – it is important to take time for yourself!!
- Exercise can manage pain you may have from your job
- Exercise can improve muscle strength and endurance, making your job easier!
- Exercise can improve self image, and ability to fall asleep and sleep well
- Exercise will improve overall quality of life 

It is important that you encourage and assist your client to help you get exercise, as well as make time to incorporate exercise into your own life!

It is important that you find something that you enjoy for exercise; otherwise you will not stick to the routine. I will discuss these options in future blog entries. In the meantime, think about your options and challenges.

Thank you for welcoming me to your group!

Learn more about SCI Total Fitness here!