Polio help

[jludwig]

Hi, i am trying to find what options are available to help reduce the strain of overworked muscles due to polio. the affected area is arms and neck.
my mother fought polio at 7yrs of age in 1953 and is now taking pain killers to sleep. Does anyone know of aids/braces available to alleviate the extra pull and weight around her neck because of her arms? Argh

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[pudding_bowl]

Hey jludwig
Its a good idea to work on her CV fitness which will increase overall efficiency of muscle function and oxygen transport. The increase in fitness will reduce the effects of fatigue.
Then she should investigate a exercise program to help the endurance of specific muscles that are underused. As these are strengthened they can help yoru mothers posture. Which would hopefully decrease the pain in neck and arms.
I suggest going to see a physio to get appropriate advice regarding starting an exercise program, she can see her GP and get referred to local hospital physio for example, or if she wants to visit a private practice and pay then i suggest you investigate the practice to check someone there has treated polio before.
As for aids and braces - there are numerous postural aid braces out there, some very generic and some specialised. We must see her posture to know which is best - another reason to visit GP/Doctor/Orthotist

All the best to you and your mother - heres hoping she can reduce the amount of painkillers being taken with appropriate input

[jludwig]

Hi Pudding Bowl,
This advice makes good sense. Thank you! She has recently started getting deep tissue massage from a good physio and this is helping. Once again thanks, I really appreciate it , J

[davidhannison]

Does this give a good result and in solving the problem?

[jludwig]

Hi Oxyfit and pudding_bowl

Once again pudding_bowl, thanks for the good solid advice. I totally agree and Mum has been working on the things you recommended for years and it has definitely helped.

I discovered a way to majorly help. I got lambskin arm warmers made for her and she uses them alot. Lambskin on the outside, wool on the inside. the have velcrow straps and easy to put on/off. she mainly wears them outside in the cold & on the arm she does not use as much (right). I had them made for her at an Australian company called two sheep, based in dubbo NSW. they custom made them for her $35 per arm warmer and had them made and posted within a week! Its helped.

Cheers, j