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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Serratus Anterior Exercises with Dr. Tina Duong
Tina Duong, MPT, of Stanford Medicine's Day Lab is a research physical therapist at Stanford with over 10 years of clinical experience in neuromuscular and pediatric research. She produced this video for the FSHD Society's 2020 FSHD Connect Classroom conference. For more information, visit www.fshdsociety.org. -
CAT COW EXERCISES
Tina Duong, MPT, of Stanford Medicine's Day Lab is a research physical therapist at Stanford with over 10 years of clinical experience in neuromuscular and pediatric research. She produced this video for the FSHD Society's 2020 FSHD Connect Classroom conference. For more information, visit www.fshdsociety.org. -
Trunk Stabilization EXERCISES
Tina Duong, MPT, of Stanford Medicine's Day Lab is a research physical therapist at Stanford with over 10 years of clinical experience in neuromuscular and pediatric research. She produced this video for the FSHD Society's 2020 FSHD Connect Classroom conference. For more information, visit www.fshdsociety.org.
Physical therapy and exercise blog posts
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 physical therapist, founder and owner of re+active physical therapy & wellness and adjunct instructor of clinical physical therapy at the University of Southern California. Current… 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 it looked like something I could do. So a couple years ago I decided to try it. The instructor was a friend and encouraged me…. 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 early 30s, fast decline in muscle functions due to FSH muscular dystrophy was making me believe that the rest of my life would be a painful downhill trip toward… Read More »
Medicare coverage for ongoing maintenance physical therapy
Article adapted with permission from Melissa Fox, PT, DPT, University of Virginia Health System. There are times when a short course of physical therapy (PT) can meet your current needs, and you can then continue exercises on your own. Other times, however, ongoing PT may be necessary to maintain your current status (strength, flexibility, mobility,… Read More »
Muscle activation strategies for FSH muscular dystrophy
Our Dallas support group meeting on January 19th featured outstanding presentations and hands-on demonstrations of muscle activation and the Rolf method, which one of our new Dallas-area members has found very beneficial in addressing his FSHD issues. Note that these methods have not been studied scientifically for efficacy in FSHD; we are simply sharing patients’… Read More »
High-intensity exercise training in FSHD
by Amanda Hill If you or a loved one is affected by FSHD, or any muscular dystrophy for that matter, chances are that you’ve heard it’s best not to exercise, just to avoid damaging or “using up” what healthy muscle is left. There is a pervasive uncertainty and fear among patients and doctors alike that… Read More »