Stand up!
Before you start cursing me as some kind of insensitive jerk, take a deep breath, and put that defensive judgment aside. I mean it with all the love and sensitivity in the world. Stand up straight. It’s a great way to begin your day, and every time you transfer or move location.
It doesn’t really matter if you are fully able bodied, or wheelchair bound. Place your feet firmly on the ground – feel the connection through your feet, up your legs to your butt – activating all the way, that would be all the small muscles of the feet, the gastrocs, the quads and the gluts for those who visualize like I do. OR just see yourself standing up and let that intention lift you – believe it or not your brain knows what to do. If you are in a state that just will not permit this, be safe first, put your feet on the ground and VISUALIZE yourself standing. Your brain will register the “standing” request whether it is real or perceived and start to build the neuro-networks to support your request.
This is the new thinking of neuroplasticity. Your brain is capable of reorganizing itself to create new pathways that fire – where old ones no longer do.
By the way, as soon as it is warm enough practice this in direct contact with a natural surface – grass, sand, stone etc. You will be connecting with the earth’s natural electromagnetic energy, which helps to align your own natural systems.
Some key things to remember:
- Always be safe first. If you need to start with your feet on the floor and a visualization, do so. If you need a helping hand or bar to stabilize, use it.
- Work at your own pace. As soon as your form starts to suffer, that’s enough for the day. Begin anew tomorrow. In the words of my favourite neurological physiotherapist “perfect practice makes perfect” so don’t do more that you can without compromising form.
- Remember it takes time to build new pathways, make this a regular part of your routine and it will bear fruit eventually.
- Include this activity as part of your comprehensive plan for recovery.
If you’re getting these blogs it is because you have chosen a different way to manage your life with a diagnosis of MS. I will continue to bring you reliable, relevant information that works together with your desire for change.
There is enough rock solid information out there for you to understand that MS can be a very manageable condition – despite what your neurologist may tell you. Doctors of all kinds, some who, like myself, have lived with MS for years see it all the time. You can do it – you can manage the trajectory of your health.
Teri
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