Hi Lorraine - Yes, I believe these do a world of good. Between biofeedback and muscle memory, this is why I get a prescription for physical therapy here and there too, so I don't get discouraged.

My doctor wanted me to get outpatient PT this time as he believes it is more beneficial with the equipment they have. In addition to the PT, at home I do squats as well. I have to hold on to the sink and do these, plus all of my PT regimen on the list I've formed. I have a 45 minute routine at home. The trick is staying on top of the exercises.

Have you joined any of the twice monthly sessions with Dr. Gretchen Hawley? She's a doctor of PT and has a lot of great advice, plus 2nd session of the month is Q&A. She has a YT channel with loads of pointers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAQdfprJN48&ab_channel=DoctorGretchenHawley

Hope this is encouraging: Dr. Gretchen shares what she learns as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acoe97JV1yg&ab_channel=DoctorGretchenHawley

I forgot to mention that for the hands, I use hand grips - and do a good 5 minutes of squeezes, counting to 20 and alternating hands. I only have one grip at this time. My PT also encourages this. They have keep my palms looking much stronger, not so aged and boney looking. It was like I could see tendons in the palms of my hands but doing these squeezes makes a world of difference.

Hi Lorrieonline. I felt you'd be sending a message. I'll check in to that youtube site. Sounds helpful and I'm sure it'll give me a lot to think about. I"ve started using hand squeezers, but only recently. Thank you so much. Lorraine.

mandalalady

Yes, Workout's Do help With Balance and Stability, I have Cerebral palsy, and have trouble maintaining Balance sometimes.......And exercise has helped ALOT

Hi Lorrieonline. I thought that Gretchen Hawley's remarks about neuroplasticity were very interesting. This concept was likely used years back when people lost muscle use after a case of polio. I'm getting my gorilla grip husband to press my legs down as I lie on my back and struggle to lift each leg. So far the results have been pathetic (=nil) but why not keep trying, I say.

Hi guitarman79. Would you say that any particular exercise you do is especially good for balance? Trouble is, I've always been a klutz. Lorraine.

mandalalady.,

Nothing in particular, Just A regular workout routine, although, I have been adding exercises for core strength.....and back exercises to help with posture, since cerebral palsy has to do with bad posture........as I'm sure MS does to, CP and MS Have some of the same symptom's.......I have poor strength im my hand's to, I have Hypotonia (Muscle weakness........So workout' are VERY important

hi guitarman79. I haven't found any truly balance-specific exercises. I have a handout from an osteoporosis clinic which says that rocking from heels to toes and back over and over, also standing on only one foot, are good for balance. Well, if I could do those things without hanging on to the back of a chair, that would certainly mean I had good balance. But as for doing them without hanging on, well, that would require good balance to begin with.

My hands and legs have gotten stronger since I started doing a set of exercises three times a week but I won't be wrestling with gorillas any time soon.

Spring has sprung here and we've seen our first robin. Cheers.

mandalalady,

I was given exercises to do at home, And that was one of them, Holding on to a chair with one foot on top of the other,
One other thing, I was given, that A P.T worked on with me in school, was Bird-dog supped to help with trunk stability which I (try to anyway) use in my stretching routine before I workout.
Also, Have You played a musical instrument, such as guitar or piano? I have playing guitar for almost 30 yrs, And it has really helped me........I struggle with motor skill's, Big hurtle with cp that and precision. have really improved, Sometimes I over-shoot stuff, Still working on things.....I'm no Jimi Hendrix But, I think I'm good

Spring has here to

Hi guitarman79. I'm hopeless musically. My husband has been playing bass guitar for decades. He plays with another two, one playing guitar, another keyboard. Since Covid restrictions began, they've mostly gotten together on Zoom, talking about music, not playing. And now and then, when the stars align, they can get together and make music. They're going to start focusing on jazz.

I'll check on this 'bird-dog' exercise. Thanks. And best wishes with your guitar.

Thank You!

To lorrieonline and guitarman79. Have been doing a set of arm and leg exercises about three times a week for a while now and the key exercise on the basis of which the neurologist claimed my MS was now progressive has become easier. I'm referring to lying on my back and lifting each leg against resistance, in this case my husband's pressure. His grip strength measures at 70 pounds and I've been getting better at pushing up. No great success yet but he has to keep trying harder to keep each leg down.