Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Exercise Ball Spells Comfort for Me (Fibromyalgia Post)


I know this sounds strange but it works for me.


This large exercise ball was on my Christmas wish list this year so my husband bought one for me and I LOVE it!
I'll explain why...
I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which causes pain throughout my body. This affects my muscles and joints, therefore, when I do a normal exercise routine I end up in misery. Now, I'm not talking the typical "no pain-no gain" thing. I'm talking whole body pain, feel like you've got the flu pain, chest pain & fatigue that will last from as little as a few days to several months. It is awful!


So that is where this ball comes into the picture.


My muscles feel much better when I can do gentle stretching (as opposed to heavy exercises) and this often alleviates some of the pain. So with this ball I can lay my back upon it and kind of roll with it to stretch some of the muscles in my back.

My most favorite thing to use the ball for though is just as a computer chair. Sounds goofy, I know.
I used to have days that I couldn't sit for very long in one spot because my hips would hurt so bad. So I started using this ball as a chair when I was at my computer. I would kinda move around with the ball just a little from side to side or even lightly bounce on it....now I know the mental picture of this is hilarious but it really helps.
It seems to relieve the pressure and pain in my hips by doing these gentle movements while sitting for any length of time.

And of course, when I'm not using it, it sits in my room (as pictured) until one of the 3 kids go and get it to use it as a toy to bounce on.

It's been a great multi-purpose purchase.

6 comments:

Carol said...

Hope you don't mind but I posted a link to your article. I'm going to buy me one as I have not really tried one. Thanks...

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

You know, at first I thought, "The poor thing has gone wacky..." but really, this post is IMPORTANT.

I have scoliosis that makes one hip/leg/foot just rotten and I'm in misery most all of the time. I have pain pills galore, but who wants to take them and be zonked? I can barely SIT, but I have to sit to do my artwork on the computer...

I am going to get one of those balls. I hope they are not too expensive. I bet it will finally give my poor hip some relief. You are wonderful to share your ball-chair idea!!! Even if it does bring up a hilarious vision!!!

Carmen S. said...

I got one of those a couple years ago on the advice of my Dr. She didn't quite tell me what to do with it though so I ended up putting it away. I will have to dig it back out and try it at the computer! I can just see your kids, lol...remember the old toy of the 70's called hippity hop? It was a big rubber ball with a round handle on the top and you sat and bounced around on it! See, they knew how to have fun back then!!!

Country Whispers said...

Hey Carmen,
I do remember those and they still make them. My kids have two of them around here but they like mine better. It has no handle but is much bigger. Which just means that they can get in even more trouble with it. :0)

Anonymous said...

It was rather interesting for me to read this post. Thank author for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Anonymous said...

Don't stop posting such articles. I love to read blogs like this. Just add some pics :)