Exercises for people with chronic pain and connective tissue disorders

I have hypermobile type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and can't do any kind of high impact exercises. I also can't do anything that involves being on my feet for more than 10 mins due to pain (swimming is not possible either as I don't drive or have the time).

Does anyone have an ideas of exercises I can do at home to aid my weight loss?

Replies

  • a_aubriee3619
    a_aubriee3619 Posts: 14 Member
    I recently injured my knee and found a few exercises.. look up chair or couch exercises.. also I found the website Darebee.. it has so many exercises that you can change a little to make it something you can handle.. also if you look at the stuff for beginners it tends to have a lot of low impact stuff on there and different variations of other exercises...
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,713 Member
    edited August 2019
    Stationery bike? Or resistance bands?
  • cbstewart88
    cbstewart88 Posts: 453 Member
    Stationery bike?

    That's a great suggestion!! Was trying to think of something and biking never entered my mind. Actually - you can get a real bike and bike outside!!! "I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my bike. I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride it where I like." Now there's an oldie but goodie!!! :)
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,713 Member
    Even safer than a stationary bike, if you have any issues with your hips, you can get armchair cycles. Just the pedals, which you put in front of a chair.
  • staticsplit
    staticsplit Posts: 538 Member
    I have a stationary bike desk at home, so I ride it slowly while doing work I don't need full concentration for.

    Yoga and pilates can be hit or miss with EDS. I have mild hypermobility and a lot of the symptoms but no formal diagnosis. I used to sprain/sublux my ankles a lot. Balancing exercises helped me strengthen the muscles around the joints, which was good. So I personally find them useful, but you might want to double check with a specialist if it's the right approach for you.

    Otherwise, short 10 minute walks, fidgeting a bit more in your day to day life? Resistance bands or light weights/a kettlebell?

    But in the end if the exercise is hurting, you don't *need* it for weight loss. Just a calorie deficit will do it.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,713 Member
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
    There are seated exercises o you tube and a show on PBS called Sit and Be Fit.
    Has anyone mentioned a rower?
    Lots of upper body exercises with weights can be done seated. You could alternate 5-10 min standing exercises with 5-10 min seated upper body a few times and get a great full body low impact workout.
  • Vune
    Vune Posts: 673 Member
    My physiatrist sent me tp physical therapy for functional restoration, and they gave me resistance bands and strength work to do at home. The exercises are intended to improve my quality of life, but I also look nicer with more muscle.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    edited August 2019
    Though it doesn't assist with weight loss directly, I highly recommend resistance training to help retain muscle.

    Resistance training has many other benefits as well including reducing pain for those who deal with chronic pain and improving quality of life. Adherence rates are high and comparable to aerobic exercise.

    I've found personally and for those who I train who also deal with pain and connective tissues issues that barbell training with proper load management is the most useful resistance training.

  • meggs9605
    meggs9605 Posts: 55 Member
    I do not have EDS, but I do have hyper mobility issues and many similar issues with chronic pain, easily injured joints, etc. I have fallen in love with Barre classes. Similar to Piyo, its low to no impact, strengthens the core, and uses body weight and/or light free weights to build strength. It is really the only thing that I have been able to do that gives me cardio without injury. And I could tell after only a couple of weeks that I was getting stronger.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,819 Member
    Is there any chance you can see a specialist? A physiotherapist or occupational therapist would have a much better idea of what would be suitable.

    Yes, getting a referral to a specialist is my recommendation as well.