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What exercise can I do with all these ailments? Advice please!

46 replies

trythisforsize · 19/02/2023 12:27

Ok so I've always been active and sporty so the last 2 years has totally thrown me. I walked, cycled and played team sport from 16 to 36. Then had DC and mainly walked.
I'm now late 40's and hit peri 2 years ago, on HRT - all good.
Joints however are a nightmare. I currently have tennis elbow in the left, a creaky clanky right shoulder, painful kneecaps (can't crouch or squat). I started gently walking 7-10K steps a day a week ago and I've pulled hamstrings in the backs of my knees. Today I'm back on the couch but I want to keep some activity up.
I hate swimming.
Is there anything else I can do or do I just need to sit it out for a few days? If I don't keep moving my whole body seems to seize up. I feel a bit low about it all now. I just want to regain some strength and fitness like I used to have but everything I try seems to cause an injury even if I'm slow and gentle.

OP posts:
Tilllly · 19/02/2023 17:54

trythisforsize · 19/02/2023 17:34

Wow thank you so much everybody.

I have learnt a lot of new phrases to look up, 'functional fitness', 'clinical pilates'. I think I'll start with trying some chair exercises so that I feel like I'm doing something whilst my hamstrings heal.

I really hope I can find someone locally that can help me with some tailored pilates or machine based strength training. I certainly won't be purely following you tube video's - I don't want to make my injuries worse!

I'm feeling much more positive now.

Thank you so much for your brilliant advice everybody!

Worth talking to a PT and having a few tailored sessions?

trythisforsize · 19/02/2023 17:54

I just looked up neural tension @ArseInTheCoOpWindow - it's really complex!

I will try and see a physio - all of my tendons definitely feel tight and stuck and no amount of warmup/gentle stretching seems to alleviate it, I've been trying for weeks.

OP posts:
trythisforsize · 19/02/2023 17:58

Yes I think that's a good idea @Tilllly . A colleague at work uses one so I might see if they would be willing to pop to my workplace and do a lunchtime trial with me.
I don't like the idea of doing it on display in a local park which is what a lot of PT's seem to do.

OP posts:
Montgomerymmoose · 19/02/2023 18:00

Another vote for aqua fit . Your body is supported in the water and you can do as much or as little as you can manage . No swimming involved .

MsMartini · 19/02/2023 18:11

Physio first, specialist sports one if you can. You may have shoulder or other injuries and the wrong exercise can make that worse.

See what they recommend and be prepared for some dull but essential work to fix the wonky bits. I agree about Pilates, functional fitness training, aquafit, nce you know what's what and are somewhat sorted.

Rainbowshit · 19/02/2023 18:23

I'm recovering from a knee injury and I find the elliptical walker is working best for me.

Rainbowshit · 19/02/2023 18:25

Also icing problem areas after exercise and taking anti inflammatories has helped.

greenspaces4peace · 19/02/2023 18:28

surprised no one has mentioned tai chi?
slow easy rhythmical which builds up to being fairly intense.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 19/02/2023 18:44

trythisforsize · 19/02/2023 17:54

I just looked up neural tension @ArseInTheCoOpWindow - it's really complex!

I will try and see a physio - all of my tendons definitely feel tight and stuck and no amount of warmup/gentle stretching seems to alleviate it, I've been trying for weeks.

Mine came literally from holding myself tense all the time.

26 years a teacher…..

BigGreen · 19/02/2023 19:27

Tai chi is ace. I did it straight after pregnancy when my core was like an accordion.

trythisforsize · 20/02/2023 10:36

I hear the aquafit/swimming suggestions and I know this would be great for me - I just can't do it though - too much fuss and time, I may go for a walk in the sea if I can stand the cold - just water up to my knees I can cope with in the winter and the water resistance might build up strength in my legs. If I walk along the seaside first then go in the sea that could perhaps double as the icing suggested by @Rainbowshit too. I won't buy any equipment though - I just know I won't use it at home, I've got a bike trainer and used to have a rowing machine - expensive coat hangers!

I agree @MsMartini that some good advice and 121 with a physio would be my best first call - I think my work EAP may be able to offer me this so I'm going to look into it today.

The neural tension sounds really painful and uncomfortable @ArseInTheCoOpWindow. I really think every workplace should have a physio person visit regularly and give everyone bespoke sessions on their posture and workstyles. I bet it would save millions of repetitive strain type and stress related injuries.

Tai chi - hmmm, I really don't know much about it but it looks very elegant. I'm rubbish at attending regular classes. I get the feeling there'll be loads of really young fit people there which puts me off.

I feel like I'm making excuses but I'm just being realistic!
Definitely the physio and definitely the clinical pilates/functional fitness. I'll also try and find a nearby small gym that I can visit whenever I like once I've got the right advice.

I actually feel quite positive about it now, yesterday morning I felt like my exercising days were over I was getting so much random pain and clunking from just walking. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
EmmaStone · 20/02/2023 11:00

Could you get your home bike trainer set back up at home? Cycling seems a good option?

But agree, you really must see a physio to get targeted exercises for your shoulder and elbow. I get issues with my rotator cuff, and need to ensure I'm keeping up with my physio. I also have just started 'treating' myself to a payday sports massage - I went last month to try and get the knots out of my shoulders, which over time, I'm hoping helps.

I've also had tennis elbow in the past, and my PT adapted exercises for me to ensure I wasn't exacerbating the problem.

MsMartini · 20/02/2023 11:00

Good for you, @trythisforsize , glad you feeling more optimistic. Good luck!

Re classes - I think it can be very hard to maintain an exercise routine solo (and I am very motivated). A normal high street gym will not have classes full of young fit people, often quite the opposite IME - people who are experienced/advanced will often find normal classes not helpful for them, and train solo/with a buddy/seek out more specialist classes and venues. And I'd be amazed if things known to be lower impact were. I've trained at several gyms/settings and never seen that. Everyone is different but from what I have seen a regular commitment and little light social interaction can really help consistency - and consistency is key. Just my perspective.

trythisforsize · 20/02/2023 19:04

Ok, so I have found a local physio that is also trained in clinical pilates and runs both private physio appointments and pilates classes, she sounds perfect so I've left a message to have a chat with her.

I think a gym would be ok as long as I know what I'm doing so I don't look like an idiot injuring myself more and doing all the wrong exercises.

I'm feeling really hopeful about this now. Hopefully by Christmas I'll be pain free and stronger, that's my aim.

Thanks so much everyone. I wouldn't have had a clue what to do without your advice.

OP posts:
Oncetheystartschool · 20/02/2023 19:06

Great work @trythisforsize you will be back training again before you know it.

Gabrielleohare · 26/02/2023 08:25

I'm a 51 year old PT with lots of experience working with women who've had similar issues. I recommend strength training but with a good trainer, ideally one who is also a corrective exercise specialist. Menopause can cause joint and muscle pain and also, as we get older we develop muscular imbalances which cause pain and increase the chance of injury.

Strength training is actually a very gentle and considered exercise. You learn how to reconnect with how your body is supposed to move. You only start with weights you are comfortable to begin with and build up as you become more confident.

Having one to one training is more expensive than a group session but it does allow the trainer to work out which exercises are best for you that will strengthen your weaker muscles and don't make problems like sore knees/hamstrings worse.

borntobequiet · 26/02/2023 09:03

Most of my problems are age related - I’m a lot older than you - but they stared about your age. For what it’s worth:

Begin with the chair exercises as others have said. Work on your breathing.
Breathing properly makes exercise far more effective. This is the ideal time for you to focus on it. There’s lots of advice online.

Join a gym and get advice from a PT as to how to use specific machines safely and effectively. My main problems are with knees and back, but once I worked on strengthening the relevant muscles they improved greatly. Cardio I get from the recumbent bike, the rowing machine (which I know how to use properly because I used to row, be careful if you use one as poor technique can make them very damaging) and the cross trainer, no impact. I recently had a heart problem and was able to keep exercising while ill by doing what I felt comfortable with. I go to the gym three times a week if possible.

I do yoga type stretches and some light free weights daily. I got the stretches from a book decades ago, but you could find someone to advise you. This makes a real difference to my strength and fitness, and I have shorter or longer routines depending on how I feel and how much time I have in the morning.

I try to walk for at least 30 min every day. I stopped running years ago, it was very damaging for me. On uneven ground I use a walking pole/stick, which gives a third point of contact and helps avoid stumbles and twisting my knees.

I find a soak in a hot bath two or three times a week very helpful for aches and pains and I use a painkiller if I need to, for me ibuprofen works best (not necessarily every day or even every week, but as and when).

I intend to take HRT for as long as possible. Luckily my GP is OK with this.

By using the methods above, I’m pretty much in as good shape at nearly 70 as I was at nearly 50.

borntobequiet · 26/02/2023 09:04

Started not stared! And I proof read the bloody post too.

trythisforsize · 04/03/2023 09:37

Update!

So, I went to see the physiotherapist and she checked through each of my joints for mobility and strength. The good news is, I have no joint injuries, no obvious signs of inflammation. My joints are fine and my overall strength is good.

The problem is that my muscles have become tight due to lack of stretching and using them. The tightening muscles are pulling on my joints making them hurt. The physio spend a fair bit of time manipulating, massaging and stretching the muscles in my arm - this loosened up the muscle fibres and increased my range almost immediately without pain. I do not have tennis elbow.

She also showed my how to warm up and stretch my thigh muscles to alleviate the tension on my knee caps and stretch my hamstring to irradicate that problem.
She also identified that my shoulder is clicking due to an imbalance of muscle strength on the front and back of my shoulder so it's pulls out of place when I use it. She has given my exercises to rectify this and it looks like the standing, gentle, push-ups I'd been doing off my kitchen top since 2018 may have caused this over time - elbows out instead of elbows in messes up your shoulder.

I am starting pilates with her next week so she can show me all the right techniques.

The overall message was - you must stretch! Stretch everything, in every direction, as often as possible. Stretch it and massage it or it seizes and the muscle fibres can become glued together - hence the aching and tension and pain. You can't stretch 'wrong' if you're not injured - so just stretch everything.

That was literally the best £50 I've spent in years!

I hope this info helps somebody else with achy, clanky, creaky joints

OP posts:
lljkk · 04/03/2023 15:05

That reminds me of when my stepmum was having breathing problems. She kept 'taking it easy', doing less exercise. Her shortness of breath got worse.

After a zillion tests, the docs reckoned that her lung was deflating from lack of use. She needed to get out & exercise hard to get it working well again.

FlowerArranger · 04/03/2023 15:36

That's a greatstart,@trythisforsize . Is the physiotherapist also going to discuss respond weight training with you?

NB:
This guy is a physiotherapist with lots of videos on stretching and mobility:

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