There is good evidence that exercise can help slow and even reverse the loss of function caused by FSHD. Exercise is also essential for your overall fitness and health. While exercise probably does not reverse the disease process itself, it helps strengthen muscles that are still healthy. A physical or occupational therapist can guide you in figuring out targeted exercises, stretches, etc. to support the healthy muscles and develop ways of moving and carrying out daily functions that avoid causing muscle strain and 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.
Resources
- Physical Therapy and Exercise for FSHD (pdf) was written by leading experts to help you and your physical therapist work as a team.
- Feeling Fit with FSHD Zooms meet twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at noon. Register to get the link.
- Frank Hanley's Tai Chi resource page.
Scroll down to browse our videos and articles on Physical Therapy and Exercise.
Physical therapy and exercise blog posts
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,… 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… 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,… Read More »
Rochester FSHD Family Day videos
Watch the videos here. The University of Rochester Fields Center for FSHD Research has posted a summary and videos from the 6th annual FSHD Family Day Conference held on April… Read More »
Bed yoga: Four easy poses to start or end your day
by KATHY SENECAL, Cromwell, Connecticut I became a yoga practitioner in the early 1990s, and over time I received certification and training in hatha and Svaroopa® yoga, taught classes, and ran… Read More »
Los Angeles FSHD Family Day videos
We are pleased to share these videos from our 2017 FSHD Family Day conference in Los Angeles, held on October 21, 2017. We are so grateful to Laurie Heyman and… Read More »