It is important to keep active in spite of rigidity as this maintains good visco-elastic properties of the muscles and joints and can help to alleviate the pain and aches that often accompany rigidity. Some simple steps can help you to maintain your independence and mobility:
- continue your normal routine and daily activities as long as you are able
- follow a simple exercise program to keep your muscles flexible and strong
- adjust your routine to make it easier to continue on your own, ensuring that you do things that might tire your muscles when you feel least stiff
- remove or firmly secure loose rugs that you can trip over, and rearrange furniture to make it easier to move around at home
- maintain a positive attitude – this can be very helpful in overcoming all sorts of difficulties.
Many people have discovered and developed activities and exercises that help with their mobility and rigidity – their own personal ‘coping strategies’. Although these won’t work for everyone, watching some of the video clips on the 'Coping Strategies' CD-Rom may help you discover and develop strategies of your own, for example
- juggling to avoid stiffness
-
bouncing a ball to reduce stiffness
-
bouncing ball game
-
running to reduce stiffness
-
climbing stairs to manage stiffness
