Mobility Disability

What Does Mobility Mean?

In the dictionary, mobility is described as the ability to move or be moved freely. In the case of injury or disability, this might mean the lack of ability to move or be moved freely, or mobility pain.

What is Mobility Disability? 

A mobility disability is an impairment to your movement. Either from an injury or a more prominent disability or illness. This mobility impairment could mean you have to use a walking stick or a wheelchair, or maybe you are not able to pick objects up easily. 

Health Conditions and Diseases Affecting Mobility 

What Health Conditions Affect Mobility? 

A range of things can cause pain in the joints, and this can go on to affect your mobility. Joint pain causes that get gradually worse, especially in older people, might be Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can range from mild to debilitating, causing pain or stiffness and even swelling. 

Pain in the joints may be due to an injury, such as in the knee or elbow. These injuries can cause problems such as bleeding into the joints or inflammation of the joint.

What Diseases Make Your Joints Hurt? 

Certain diseases or viral infections can make your joints hurt. Viral hepatitis (inflammation of the liver, caused by a virus) and Rubella (viral infection common in children, similar to measles) are examples of such diseases/ infections that can make your joints hurt.

What Autoimmune Disease Affects the Joints? 

More widespread pain in the joints can be caused by autoimmune diseases that affect your connective tissue – such as lupus or scleroderma – where your immune system attacks parts of your body. 

You might also have joint and muscle pain if you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Rheumatoid Arthritis. The pain can come and go with long breaks in between and can often make you feel generally unwell and tired. If you have psoriasis, this can also affect your joints.

What Can Cause Chronic Muscle and Joint Pain? 

There are many disabilities or illnesses that can cause chronic muscle and joint pain.

Joint Hypermobility Syndrome can cause mobility issues for you. You are hypermobile if your joints are more flexible than other peoples. You might think of this as being double-jointed. This will only be an issue if your joints become painful or swollen, if they start to dislocate or ‘pop out’, you sprain them, you have stretchy skin and start to have digestive issues.

Joint hypermobility syndrome is considered part of a wider group of hypermobility disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. These are mostly hereditary and cannot be prevented but they can be managed with painkillers, the right exercise and diet, and mobility aids.

Other forms of arthritis can also cause joint problems such as gout. If the skin over the joint is hot and red and comes in waves then it is probably gout. Get this diagnosed by a medical professional who can help prevent any future attacks. 

There are various other less common types of arthritis that can affect your joints as well as cancer and certain treatments such as steroid therapy.

Your joints can also be affected if you have disabilities or illnesses such as Cerebral Palsy, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia. If you are struggling with painful joints, seek medical help in diagnosing what is happening to you, as there are so many things that can be causing your discomfort.

Supplements for Joint Pain

Alongside medications and exercise, you can also take supplements that might help your joint pain. Before taking any extra supplements, double-check with your doctor that is these are okay to take with your other medications and if they will be useful.

One of the top supplement duos you can take to help your joints is Vitamin D and Calcium. These vitamins work together to help your bones stay strong. You can get Calcium from food and vitamin D from sunlight. Sometimes though, we don’t or cannot consume enough for our bodies, which is where supplements come in handy.

Omega-3 – found in fish such as Tuna or Salmon – and Ginger are two supplements that can help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Both of these can be found in food. However, if you do not like fish or the taste of Ginger, then you can also have them in a supplement form.

Or you could simply eat more nutritious meals, rich in these vitamins and minerals.

How Does Pain in the Joints Affect Mobility? 

If you suffer from pain in your joints, then it can affect your mobility in many ways, especially if the pain is widespread. 

We have joints everywhere throughout our body: the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees and ankles – Everywhere! It’s vital we look after our joints to prevent joint pain.

Each of these joints are made up differently, to allow all the different movements our bodies need. If even one of these joints is sore or swollen, then it can alter the functioning of our daily lives.

Pain in your fingers can mean daily tasks such as brushing your teeth, eating, typing on phones or computers or holding books can be disrupted. Pain in the wrists, elbows or shoulders means your mobility is even further affected as you will have to brace the arm to prevent any further problem. 

Hips, knees or ankle pain will make walking difficult; it might even cause discomfort when you sit or lie down. The pain itself can range from mild to debilitating and can fluctuate in-between. 

What Injuries Require a Wheelchair? 

There are many injuries that might require the use of a wheelchair from short-term to long-term usage. If you have broken bones, then you might be prescribed to use a wheelchair at the beginning of your recovery. You might have a disability such as MS, Cerebral Palsy or ME that means you use a wheelchair on your bad mobility days. Disabilities such as Motor Neurone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy or Spina Bifida might mean you need a wheelchair for getting around every day. 

How Do You Know If You Need a Wheelchair?  

Knowing if you need a wheelchair can be a very personal decision to make, when it comes to long-term disabilities or illnesses. If you have an injury you know will heal, then the short-term use of a wheelchair is an easier decision to make.

However, if you have a disability or chronic illness, using mobility aids such as a wheelchair can feel like giving up. Although it may be difficult, know that using a mobility aid is not giving up. Instead, it allows you to do more.

If you can usually walk a little but find that you get exhausted quickly; Or that you are in too much pain to continue your day, then a wheelchair can make your days last longer. For some, using a wheelchair is not a choice but a necessity. Using a wheelchair/ mobility aid might take time to get used to, so be sure to talk to friends and family about how you are getting on. 

If you feel like starting off with a wheelchair is too much, especially as they can be quite expensive, you could start your mobility aid journey with a walking stick or a rollator. You can buy walking sticks, rollators and other mobility equipment for disabled people from your local mobility/ independent living store.

A technique used by some people with disabilities or chronic illnesses is pacing. This means spacing out your tasks for the day, allowing for rest periods. It also means timing the tasks that you do so you don’t overexert yourself, even if you know that a break is coming. This is another way to look at using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. You are helping to pace yourself so that you can do more in the long run. 

If you are struggling with funding/ finances, then make sure to check if you are eligible for any benefits or grants for disabled people.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)

SI joint dysfunction can cause you pain in the hips and legs. The sacroiliac joint connects your hips to the bone between your lumbar spine and coccyx. And absorbs shock between your lower and upper body.

What causes inflammation in the sacroiliac joint? 

Inflammation in the SI joint can be caused by SI Joint Dysfunction. 

SI Joint dysfunction can be caused by excessive movement, due to hypermobility or instability; Or from a lack of movement as a result of hypomobility/ fixture. These can cause you pain, muscle tension and inflammation. Other causes of inflammation to the SI joint can come from an infection such as Staphylococcus aureus, or a rheumatoid condition such as Fibromyalgia. You might also suffer from SI joint pain if you are pregnant or have recently given birth.

What does Sacroiliac Joint Pain Feel Like? 

Sacroiliac Joint Pain can feel like sharp, stabbing, shooting pain through your hips, buttocks, groin and legs. You may also feel numb or tingly at times or as if your legs might buckle. SI joint pain can be challenging to differentiate from pain from Sciatic or Lumbar Disk Herniation.

Will SI Joint Pain Ever Go Away? 

Whether SI joint pain will ever go away depends on whether it’s acute or chronic. Acute SI joint pain should clear up between a few days and a few weeks. However, if it is a chronic pain caused by a long-term condition, then the pain will have to managed as there is no cure for it.

What is the Treatment for Sacroiliac Joint Pain? 

The treatments for Sacroiliac Joint Pain are physical therapy, low-impact exercises such as yoga and massage. These should allow you to lessen pain and improve your movement.

Suppose your pain is intense and cannot be helped with physiotherapy or low-impact exercises, then your doctor might talk to you about medications such as Ibuprofen or muscle relaxants.

You can use cold packs when your pain is high and when it is more manageable, use heat packs or soak in a hot bath.

In extreme cases, doctors might look at surgery for your SI joint pain, where they attach small plates and screws onto the joint so that the bones fuse together. They will usually ask you to try everything else before this step is taken.

What Aggravates SI Joint Pain? 

Things that aggravate your SI joint pain will be things that are high-impact or repetitive.

Exercises like jogging or dancing will put extra force onto the SI joint and cause you pain. Tasks such as gardening, labour-intensive jobs, and standing up for long periods could also cause you pain. Sometimes the pain just cannot be prevented but you can use medication, low-impact exercise and diet to try and reduce your pain.

Hypermobility Pain

Hypermobility Disorders

Hypermobility is the ability to move your joints further than the normal range. This is common in the general population, especially in childhood. It will often affect only one or two joints and fades with age.

In some types of hypermobility and hypomobility syndromes, this movement can cause you pain in your joints and muscles.  

These disorders are known as Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue (HDCT). HDCTs include Joint Hypermobility syndrome, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) as well as the various types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), Marfan syndrome and Stickler syndrome. 

These syndromes and disorders can cause varying levels of fatigue and pain on different days.

Sometimes, hypermobility syndromes can be confused with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or ME as they all have similar symptoms. Hypermobility, however, is a genetic disorder and there is still little known about CFS or ME.

Again, discuss with your doctor to ensure you are getting the correct diagnosis – and the right care for your pain and fatigue.

How Do you Relieve Hypermobility Pain? 

Much like SI Joint pain, you will not be able to cure hypermobility pain but will be helped to relieve it. Things that might help are anti-inflammatory medicines or sprays as well as physical therapy and certain strengthening exercises. 

The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK website goes into various exercises that can help you if you are in pain from your hypermobility.

Can Hypermobility Syndrome Get Worse? 

With age, Hypermobility syndrome can get worse as the joints become less flexible.

Continue to work with a doctor or physiotherapist to make sure you are doing the right exercises to keep your joints from becoming too stiff and causing you pain. You also want to be careful not to overdo it as certain joints might dislocate, especially with EDS. 

Should You Stretch if You are Hypermobile? 

If you are hypermobile with Hypermobility syndrome, whether you stretch or not will be a very personal choice. You should work with a professional such as a physiotherapist to make sure you are not doing damage.

However, there is evidence that stretching can reduce inflammation in connective tissue; which will help those who suffer from subluxations (incomplete or partial dislocations). Stretching is also perfect for your heart. It can make you feel good, and that release of endorphins can help relieve your pain.

The Fibro Guy, Adam Foster, goes into great detail about hypermobility as well as stretching. He writes that there are pros and cons when it comes to stretching for hypermobility and goes into detail about what is happening when someone who is hypermobile stretches.

Usually, you will not be stretching the tissue but instead manipulating your joint to move in different ways. Adam writes that stretching can be good and bad for someone who is hypermobile. You should make sure you are stretching the tissue and not over-extending.

Stretching might not lengthen muscles or strengthen them, but it will keep you aware of your body which could help your pain and prevent any dislocations.

Severe Hip Joint Pain

What Causes Excruciating Hip Pain? 

Several things can cause severe pain in the hip joint area, from Overexertion to Osteoarthritis – uneven shaped bones; a hip fracture or tear in the cartilage; an infection to the hip bone, such as septic arthritis; or inflammation and swelling of the bursa sac called bursitis.

Seek medical attention urgently if:

• Your pain becomes chronic (lasting a long time)
• you have a fever or a rash
• the pain has come on all of a sudden
•  the pain is spreading to other joints 

Go straight to the hospital if:

• an injury or accident caused the hip pain
• if your leg looks broken/ hanging at an awkward angle, bruised or bleeding; 
• if you cannot bear any weight on the leg
• you also have a temperature and feel unwell 

Severe Pain in Hip and Leg joint

Pain in the hip and leg joint can be caused by the conditions mentioned above, but there are a few different conditions that might also be causing you pain.

One of such conditions is Neuropathy. Neuropathy is damage to the nervous system that causes tingling and burning in the legs and buttocks. Another is Sciatica, which is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve – which produces radiating pain throughout the hips and down the legs. A hernia can also cause radiating pain throughout the groin area.

As these conditions all have similar pains, it can be difficult to self-diagnose, especially as the pain can show up differently in people. Do consult with your doctor to get the best care.

Severe Pain in Hip Joint When Walking

You could feel severe pain in your hip joint when walking due to any of the conditions as mentioned earlier. Many of them are hip-based conditions, or ones that affect all of your joints and walking will therefore put excess pressure on the affected area.

Other joint issues can also affect your hip when walking, such as those in the knee. Knee issues can cause damage and inflammation in the bones, ligaments and tendons in the hip joint.

Severe Hip Joint Pain Treatment

The treatment for severe hip joint pain is similar to the treatments for SI Joint Syndrome and Hypermobility. You can take part in a low-impact exercise to maintain movement without overexertion such as yoga or swimming. Pain medication, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can be helpful for continued pain. Using cold and heat packs can also relieve your joint pain. You should avoid standing for long periods if possible. 

Ankle Mobility and Knee Pain

If you have pain or a lack of mobility in your ankles, this can cause pain in the rest of your leg, specifically pain in the knee. Just as pain from the hip joint can radiate down the legs, so can pain in the ankle cause pain in the knee and sometimes even the hip.

Mobility for Knee Pain

If your mobility is suffering because of knee pain, here are a few things you can do to help. 

• Try keeping the weight off your knees for long periods. Put you feet up, when sitting down for prolonged periods
• You can also use ice packs to relieve swelling.
• Paracetamol to ease any pain – for no more than 3 days though. If the pain continues for longer than 3 days, then you want to get medical attention for that.

One of the biggest helps to your mobility with knee pain, are knee specific exercises. Sports websites such as Onnit feature some easy-to-follow exercises that will help your knee mobility. 

You might find that exercising your ankle can significantly improve your knee pain and mobility, as well.

To help with moving around with knee pain, you may want to consider knee braces or wraps. 

Again, it’s best to get aids such as knee braces or wraps from your local mobility store – rather than online – as you can try them on for best fit. These can help protect the joint. And prevent/ relieve knee pain as well. 

Severe Pain in Back of Ankle and Heel

If you have severe pain in the back of your ankle and heel, then this could be caused by Achilles Tendonitis. Overuse or strain can cause the Achilles tendon to stretch, causing stiffness, tenderness and pain. Heel Bursitis could also cause pain here.

Like your hips, your ankles have a bursa sac that protects the Achilles’ tendons. The ankles’ bursa sac can burst due to overuse, and cause pain when you stand on your toes, cause pain in your heel, and swollen or red skin on the heel.

Pain in your ankle and heel can also be caused by bruising – if you have bumped your ankle recently – or from sprains.

The healing process for all of these conditions is to rest your ankles; use hot and cold compresses, or ibuprofen to reduce inflammation/ swelling. If the pain is extreme, then seek medical attention – you might need further assistance such as physiotherapy to help the pain.

Severe Pain in the Back of the Knee

Severe pain in the back of the knee can be caused by cramps, where your muscle is tightening. Or it can be caused by injuries, such as Jumper’s Knee or an injury to the hamstring.

You can feel pain in the back of the knee with conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis can cause other issues in the knee, such as Baker’s cyst – which is when a synovial-fluid filled sac forms in the back of the knee.

Most of these conditions can be treated with rest, exercise and medication and will go away on their own. However, if pain persists or worsens, refer to a doctor who can advise you on the best course of action depending on your condition.

Severe Pain in the Foot

Pain in the foot caused by Plantar Fasciitis can cause you mobility problems as being on your feet can be very painful. Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament that runs from the heel to the front of the foot. It is a repetitive strain injury so will be helped by staying off your feet and resting them as much as possible. If rest/ staying off your feet is impossible, anti-inflammatories and shoes with cushioned insoles may help ease the pain. 

If the pain persists, then your doctor might refer you for physiotherapy for specialised exercise.

Severe Lower Back Pain and Mobility

Back pain is quite common and will often improve on its own. However, severe lower back pain might be caused by something more significant that needs a bit more help in treating.

When you’re not sure about where exactly the pain is coming from, it is referred to as non-specific back pain.

Severe Lower Back Pain may be caused by an injury to the back, Sciatica, or a slipped disc in the spine. 

There are other symptoms you might experience alongside back pain. 

The NHS asks that if you experience any of these alongside back pain, to seek immediate medical attention:

• numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
• difficulty peeing
• loss of bladder or bowel control – peeing or pooing yourself
• chest pain
• a high temperature
• unintentional weight loss
• a swelling or a deformity in your back
• It does not improve after resting or is worse at night
• it started after a serious accident, such as after a car accident
• the pain is so bad you’re having problems sleeping
• pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing
• the pain is coming from the top of your back, between your shoulders, rather than your lower back.
• numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
• difficulty peeing
• loss of bladder or bowel control – peeing or pooing yourself
• chest pain
• a high temperature
• unintentional weight loss
• a swelling or a deformity in your back
• it does not improve after resting or is worse at night
• it started after a serious accident, such as after a car accident
• the pain is so bad you’re having problems sleeping
• pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing
• the pain is coming from the top of your back, between your shoulders, rather than your lower back.

Severe Lower Back Pain When Walking or Standing

Severe lower back pain that makes you unable to walk, or that causes pain when walking, may be caused by postural stress. When you are walking there is an increased pressure on your lower back that can make the lower back muscles tighten or spasm.

Severe pain in your lower back when walking or standing, can also be caused by sprains or strains. Spinal stenosis – pressure on nerves caused by the narrowing of spaces in the spine – is another likely cause of the pain. Or Degenerative disc disease – when disks between your vertebrae break down. 

How to Get Rid of Severe Lower Back Pain

To get rid of severe lower back pain, you should keep active. These conditions mentioned above can leave you with poor lower-back mobility.

Continued movements and exercises can be your quickest way of having less pain. This may be difficult at first, but with use of the right moves, exercises and painkillers, you should gradually start feeling less pain. 

You can take anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen to help with the pain. If your pain is terrible, then your doctor can prescribe you more potent pain killers such as codeine or muscle relaxants.

Again, using hot and cold packs can also help your pain in the short term. The NHS recommends physiotherapy or group exercise so that a professional can lead you through exercises safely for your specific pain. 

You can prevent back pain by:

1. regularly exercising and doing back stretches
2. avoid sitting for long periods
3. take care when lifting
4. ensure you have good posture when standing or sitting
5. and invest in a good mattress that correctly supports you through the night.

Severe Middle Back Pain

You might experience pain in the middle of your back, known as the thoracic spine.

You might have pain or a burning sensation as you can in your lower back. As with the lower back, if you also experience an upper-body numbness or loss of bowel or bladder control, seek medical help immediately.

Most causes of pain in the middle of your back could be bad posture, obesity, a sprain or injury, Osteoarthritis or a slipped disk. You can treat this pain the same as other back and joint pains – with low-impact exercise and stretches; pain killers; cold and hot packs. 

Severe Middle Back Pain can be prevented by:

• correcting your posture 
• not sleeping on your back, but rather on your side – with a pillow between your knees

How Can Disabled People Increase their Range of Movement?

What is a Range of Movement? 

The medical definition of a range of movement is ‘the full movement potential of a joint, usually its’ range of flexion and extension.’ The range of movement can vary by each joint, as well as by each person. If you are hypermobile, then your range of movement will be bigger than that of someone who is hypomobile. These again will differ, when compared to someone who is neither. 

Your range of movement is not a competition, however. When you look at your range of movement, it should be to find your healthy baseline so that you don’t cause yourself any strains or dislocations. Many things can alter your normal range of movement, many of them mentioned above. You might have a change in your range of movement due to an injury, or due to your disability getting worse (or better).

How Long Does It Take to Increase Range of Motion? 

It will take each person a different length of time to increase their range of motion. Like anything, it takes time and patience and repetition. Your disability or injury could mean that you are only able to do stretches and exercise once a week to start with, but then you can build it up as you get stronger. It is personal to you and your condition. 

Does Stretching Increase Range of Motion? 

Your range of motion will increase with stretching but as The Fibro Guy explains, it isn’t in the way we think. Previous thoughts were that stretching out muscles actually change the length of them but that isn’t the case. Instead, we are increasing our range of motion that was already there.

When you feel that you have hit a wall with a stretch, you can take a moment – and a deep breath – and usually push a little further. The more you do this, the bigger your range of motion will be. Stretching can help keep you calm as a form of meditation. It releases endorphins that make you feel good, meaning you will feel less pain, and it can help you understand your body better.

How Long Does It Take to Improve Flexibility? 

How long it takes to improve your flexibility is much like the time it takes to increase your range of motion: it depends.

If you can work at it steadily every day, then you might have improved flexibility within a month. But it isn’t a competition. Your health is about you as an individual: about what makes you feel good and relieves any pain or discomfort. You can set your own pace to increase your flexibility if you want to at all.

How Can You Increase Your Range of Movement with a Disability? 

Like anyone, to improve the range of movement with a disability means finding exercises specifically that you can manage. Your mobility levels, as a person living with a disability, will differ from that of any other person with a disability.

Improving your range of movement with a disability could start with simple stretches in bed. Or you might be able to do different movements while sat up, in bed, in a chair or your wheelchair.

Stretch and exercise to your different ability level and medical condition(s); Or specific pain. Find an activity that is right for you – be it stretches, walking or swimming.

Mobility Exercises

Why are Mobility Exercises Important? 

Mobility exercises are important for many reasons. The benefits of physical activity for disabled people are extensive. They help extend your range of movement and flexibility, which can help with any joint or muscle pain, or pain caused by hypermobility.

Mobility exercises give you a better awareness of your body, allowing you to understand any aches and pains. It can help prevent any full, incomplete or partial dislocation of a joint or organ. It can also help you improve your posture, which will help prevent pain in the future. 

Exercise for Disabled People

Physical activities for persons with disabilities will vary from person to person. It will differ again day to day, depending on the pain and fatigue you are feeling at the time. Seeking help from a physiotherapist can help you get specified stretches or exercises for you, your condition and your pain. 

Exercise considerations for a disabled person will also vary, from how many repeats of a stretch, to the types of exercises you can focus on.

Limited Mobility Exercises

Wheelchair Cardio Exercises

If you are in a wheelchair, it might feel like a lot of exercises aren’t suitable for you. These seated wheelchair exercises to improve limited ability – shown below – can be useful for many different conditions. And they can be helpful to anyone.

Also, depending on your level of mobility, there are other things you can try.

You might only be able to do small stretches such as turning your ankles, your wrists and your neck. If you have a stronger use of your upper body and arms, then you can try some boxing exercises. You can start by making a fist and swinging your arms. That works your arm muscles, raises your heart rate and burns calories.

If you can, swimming is a low-impact, helpful exercise. The water supports you and gives you the ease of movement. You can use floats if you need them.

For more cardio exercises in your wheelchair, you can take sprints along a track or take part in sports such as basketball, volleyball or badminton.

Hip Mobility Exercises to Ease Lower Back Pain

Here are a few exercises you can practice to increase your mobility, and reduce lower back pain.

Also, you can stand on one leg. Hold on to a stable surface for support – table or chair – maybe. Find your balance and swing your leg carefully back and forward. Keeping your back straight, you can do a set of 5 or 10 depending on how you are feeling and then swap legs. You can do the same exercise but swinging your leg out to the side. You can also slowly spin each leg in a circle.

You might also find certain yoga poses helpful for back pain such as the Cow-Cat Stretch.

Exercise for Disabled Legs

If you spend a lot of time bedbound or sitting in a wheelchair, then your muscles and joints might become weak and stiff. If you can move your legs yourself, then try routines that stretch out your legs and ankles. You can practice these from your chair, or lying down.

If you are unable to move your legs, then you can ask a friend, family member or carer to help you with stretching it out. 

An exercise machine such as HappyLegs, The Seated Walking Machine, can greatly help with passively exercising your leg muscles. It also reduces the need for your carer/ friend to do the leg stretching, reducing strain.

Core Exercises for Disabled People

If you are bedbound or have to be seated for most of the day, there are a couple of core exercises that you can do to stay healthy.

With a straight back, hold your arms out in front of you, palm down. Push your arms out to the side as far as you can without hurting yourself or locking your joint, pull your elbows towards yourself and behind your back. You can repeat these 5 to 10 times depending on your energy levels.

You can also do a twist for your core muscles. Hold your arms out in front of you but keep your elbows at your side. Tighten your core and then turn to the left, back to the centre, then to the right. Again, you can repeat these 5 to 10 times for each side. 

Physical Activity Programs for Disabled People

there are many physical activity programmes run throughout the country, which caters for different abilities and different kinds of sports for people with disabilities. A good place to start is on the NHS website where you get tips on exercise and sports; As well as links to different clubs that offer disability-inclusive sports, from archery to tennis.

Another great resource is the Activity Alliance, an organisation fighting for disability inclusion in sports. Activity Alliance offers programmes that can help disabled people get back into exercise and sports; They also offer advice on finding gyms that are accessible for disabled people and wheelchair users.

Exercise Adaptations for Disability

There are adaptations that you can make to your exercises if you have a disability. They will depend on your condition and pain. The adaptations might involve focusing on strength-training rather than cardio. Or doing fewer repeats of a stretch, so as not to overexert yourself.

Often, these adaptations can change or increase as you get used to doing the exercises. However, you want to take it slow – you need it to help your pain, not make it worse! 

Treatments to Improve Movement in Disabled People

Physiotherapy for Physically Disabled People 

Physiotherapy treats conditions in the muscles, joints and blood circulation. It is also helpful in improving mental health and neurological conditions.

Physiotherapy for physically disabled people will differ, depending on your condition.

Physiotherapists are physiotherapy professionals who use physical measures such as massage and manipulation, or even hydrotherapy (moving and exercising in water) to improve your range of movements. Physiotherapy can help after an injury, and is also helpful if you have long-term pain or disabilities.

Your treatment might be one-to-one sessions of stretches/ exercises, or you might receive tips for exercising at home. 

Role of Physiotherapy in Disability

The role of physiotherapy in disability is to help you to increase or manage your range of motion, and to manage your aches and pains. Joint and muscle pains that affect your mobility can be challenging to handle on your own.

Consulting with a physiotherapist can help make sure you are doing the right things to make your health better. And help your mental health if you are struggling.

Stretching and exercising can help keep us calm. As well as releasing good endorphins that can make us feel better.

Conclusion

Your mobility affects every part of your body and life. 

It is worth taking the time to understand the aches and pains we feel, whether they are acute or chronic. If you are struggling with your mobility physically, then do get in touch with your doctor or physiotherapist to see what help they can offer you.

If your mobility issues are causing your mental health to change or drop, then cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be a useful tool to keep your mental health in top shape too. 

Another good way to find out things that can help your mobility is by following social media pages that focus on your disability or illness. These can either be charities such as Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, Muscular Dystrophy UK, MS Society , ME Action.

Or it can be particular people, such as Lyndsay from Neo-Walk,  Tania When Tania Talks, and David David Ventures. 

These can be great ways to learn about therapies or products that can help you and your mobility. And to see people like you who are using mobility devices for disabled people, while still being themselves. Showing that using a mobility aid can be a part of you, and doesn’t define you.