Working out bad for people with CP?

[funnylegs4]

I was talking with a friend who has CP the other day and he said "My physical therapists said that working out was bad for people with Cerebral Palsy." And I was like "What?!! How could it be bad?!" I mean, I know because of our tight muscles we have to be more careful while doing certain types of exercise, that's kind of a given. But all working out being bad??! Has anyone heard anything like this from a physical therapist before??? It just sounds like a way for physical therapists to make more money like "Only I can help you no one else. Don't even think about going to someone else."

[momster]

Benj is a hemiplegic and we have been encouraged to have him work out. Of course, he has osteoporosis, too, so there are other considerations. I think the thing you need to do is be very careful to keep stretched out.....

- momster

[Glimmer]

I have no knowledge about CP, but at a gym I used to attend they had a young man with CP come in every day to use the pool. There is another guy I think has a milder form of CP and he lifts weights. His upper body is really muscular and he looks great, so it doesn't appear to be harming him.

[jul97]

People with cp are no different from others. Working out is good. Just like everyone else-everyone's different. Fitness most people have activities more suited to them; lots of people have limitations for a whole host of reasons!! A lot of people, both with without cp, have activities they cannot do.. I am on a non-weight bearing workout status. Standing/walking aren't good for me. So pool, wheeling, working with a yoga ball and free weights all things I need to do more of.. Kinda ready to live a healthier life style.. I swear I am so starting next month

[funnylegs4]

People with cp are no different from others. Working out is good. Just like everyone else-everyone's different. Fitness most people have activities more suited to them; lots of people have limitations for a whole host of reasons!! A lot of people, both with without cp, have activities they cannot do.. I am on a non-weight bearing workout status. Standing/walking aren't good for me. So pool, wheeling, working with a yoga ball and free weights all things I need to do more of.. Kinda ready to live a healthier life style.. I swear I am so starting next month

Good for you Jul! I figured working out is good. I think I either misunderstood my friend or they misunderstood their therapists when we had that conversation so long ago. I tend to get really good results when I work out. I just can't go fast. :)

[jul97]

Therapists are paid a salary not commission..They discharge patients all the time, there is no financial incentive motivating the treatments they recommend-okay
I have a very high respect for therapists, they're not lying to people for profit!!

I just don't feel they can help me anymore-but yea pts rock!!

[funnylegs4]

Therapists are paid a salary not commission..They discharge patients all the time, there is no financial incentive motivating the treatments they recommend-okay
I have a very high respect for therapists, they're not lying to people for profit!!

I just don't feel they can help me anymore-but yea pts rock!!

Like I said I think my friend and I just misunderstood. I don't blame the pt. I'm glad you had such a positive experience with pt's because while I had good ones I also had ones that weren't so good or just made me think my body was a huge problem that was working against me instead of a beautiful thing that was just under the control of confused brain signals. I don't think they meant to make me think of my body that way though. As I get older I realize the advice they gave me and exercises they made me do were for my own good and I should have appreciated their efforts more.