Exercises modified for disability, and who can help me find them

Post date: 2018-12-18 08:02:03

I have a number of physical limitations that make all forms of exercise that I've tried pretty unpleasant. What kind of professional can work with me one-on-one to find alternatives or make modifications that will improve my health and fitness rather than leaving me worse off? If insurance might cover them, better yet, but I might be able to pay out of pocket for something great. Or if you have suggestions based on my snowflakes, I'd love to hear them!

I do not have clear diagnoses, but I certainly have arthritis and asthma, probably have fibromyalgia, and have unexplained joint/ tendon things that mean overuse (in me, this translates to just a tiny bit of use) will often mess them up for weeks or months. Doctors have not been helpful, and physical therapists have given me exercises designed to specifically improve whatever problem I'm there for, but nothing more holistic. (And unfortunately even very gentle PT exercises have exacerbated rather than improved things.) I'd like to work with someone who might be able to help me not be sedentary.

If you're interested in more exact limitations:

Bone spurs in my toes make walking painful. (I ignore this and still walk a good amount; this is my only form of exercise right now.)

My shoulder is messed up with symptoms identical to a rotator cuff tear, but more recently an MRI showed that I do not have a tear. I can't do much with that shoulder in any case; weight training even with light weights and swimming are out because of that.

My hands are arthritic enough that holding something like a racquetball paddle is out.

I used to bike commute every day but my hands can't work hand brakes any more and my wrists take a couple weeks to recover after even short (2 mile) rides. (The wrist issue is true even though my handlebars have always been well above the seat, and I've tried a number of different handlebar configurations.)

Any kind of repetitive motion tends to lead to serious joint pain for at least several weeks.

I have pretty serious exercise induced asthma, despite taking a daily steroid inhaler. This is true even if I use albuterol before exercise.

Essentially all I can think of are water aerobics, which would be expensive and difficult to attend in my area and I think I'd hate it, and going slowly on an elliptical machine, which might work but I know I'd hate it.

I am a 43-year-old woman, if relevant.

Please click Here to read the full story.