There is much that you can do to maintain the best possible muscle function and overall fitness and health. Exercise can help you regain strength and function to some extent, if you understand which of your muscles are still capable of some recovery. Exercise can also help alleviate pain. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, however. It takes research, persistence, and creativity to find a regimen that works for you and your body. Our downloadable brochure Physical Therapy and Exercise for FSHD was written by leading experts to help you and your physical therapist work as a team.
Scroll down to browse our videos and articles on Physical Therapy and Exercise.

Physical therapy and exercise videos
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Ankle Foot Orthoses
Presented at the World FSHD Alliance quarterly meeting in March 2022 by R. Gerpe of FSHD Spain. For more information about facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, please visit fshdsociety.org -
Shoulder dyskinesia in FSH muscular dystrophy
From our January 27, 2022, FSHD University webinar. Jos Ijspeert, a physiotherapist and PhD candidate at Radboud University Medical Center, has been conducting research on the potential for exercises to improve shoulder dyskinesia, which underlies scapular winging, one of the most common symptoms of FSHD. "We think it is important that people with FSHD and shoulder complaints start using their shoulder muscles most effectively in daily activities,” IJspeert says. “As long as patients still have muscle strength, something can be done about the instability of the scapulae and overloading of the shoulder muscles can be prevented.” -
Nutrition and FSHD with Matt Beke
Nutritionist Matt Beke works with neuromuscular patients at the University of Florida, one of the FSHD Clinical Trial Research Network members. In this presentation, he reviews the research on FSHD and nutrition, discusses the Mediterranean diet, and also touches on the gut microbiome. Recorded at the FSHD Society's Sharegiver Hour meeting in November, 2021.
Physical therapy and exercise blog posts
Women on Wellness (monthly Zoom)
By popular demand, we are launching our Women on Wellness Zoom support group starting on Wednesday, October 6. This meeting will take place on the first Wednesday of each month… Read More »
Dynamic Sitting – exercising in a seated position
Here are Dr. Nikia Stinson’s slides (ppt) Equipment List (downloadable) All of these are available on Amazon. Com and other online shopping sites.
Dave Younger’s exercise arsenal
by David Younger, Austin, Texas Over the past ten to fifteen years, I have developed an arsenal of products that I use to stay as healthy and active as possible…. Read More »
Staying Active While at Home
In this recorded webinar, Julie Hershberg, PT, DPT, NCS, presents evidence-based benefits or physical therapy and exercise for patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Dr. Hershberg is a neurologic… Read More »
FSHD Warrior Pose [VIDEO]
by Faye Flatt, Ontario, Canada Yoga has always looked effortless to me and I enjoy watching the gentle movements from one pose and smooth transition to another. In my head… Read More »
Self-healing from muscular dystrophy
BY BEATRIZ NASCIMENTO, SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL I had some mild muscle weakness since childhood, but in my 20s everything was getting harder. I was constantly fatigued and stressed. By my… Read More »