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Miami, FL 33186
Are you ready to get on your feet and start walking again? This blog talks about leg strengthening essentials, including unweighted treadmill systems in Miami. So, be sure to read until the end.
We understand how severe injuries can take a toll on the leg muscles. Prolonged hospitalization can weaken the legs and decrease mobility. For these reasons, it is essential to begin strengthening your legs as soon as your doctor permits you to do so. But before you do, this is the first step to regain your leg’s full function and start walking again.
No matter how much you want to walk again, it is still essential to assess your body. Your body may still be weak, and you may still require immediate assistance to move around.
Make sure to be realistic about your goals and see how much you can do at the moment. By assessing your current health and your body’s ability to do things, you’re protecting yourself from further pain or injuries. Remember that fatigue and extreme weakness can affect your ability to move or perform specific exercises.
You need extra patience in this stage of your recovery, as it may take a little while to be able to walk fully again. So, be gentle with yourself.
Has your therapist given you the green light to do certain leg exercises? If yes, then you can slowly begin the leg work. Start by getting up on your feet and see if you’re stable enough to stand up independently.
If not, you need to strengthen the stabilizer muscles that support your ankles and knees. To do this, use sturdy furniture to lean on – a walker may also help. You may also ask someone for support, especially if you’re not confident enough to stand on your own.
Strengthen your legs with these exercises:
Leg stretches can help loosen up tight muscles and improve the range of motion in the ankles, knees, and hips. Be sure to slowly and gradually stretch your legs to prevent further injuries. Please do not force your legs to do anything beyond their capacity and natural resistance.
This is one of the best exercises for paralysis survivors who still can’t do movements. This helps in strengthening the legs and practicing walking without placing much pressure on their back and joints.
To begin, sit on a chair that allows your feet to touch the floor. Once you’re on the edge of the chair, place your feet on the floor and start moving them in a marching motion. Be sure that you slowly alternate lifting your knees to prevent injury.
Your hamstring muscles play a huge role in your overall mobility. Keeping them strong after surviving a severe injury can help you return to healthy and normal walking ability.
To stretch your hamstring muscles, begin by lying flat on your back and raising your leg upward. Hold your leg in this position for 5 seconds and slowly lower it until it touches the floor again. Do the same thing for the other leg. Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times.
This exercise can help patients improve their hip and quads flexors. To start, lay on your mat with one knee straightened and the other knee bent. Point the toes of your straightened leg towards the ceiling. Once you’re in position, slowly lift your straightened leg high and gently bring it down to the floor. Perform this exercise on each leg ten times before you switch sides.
This is one of the simplest exercises that helps with leg strengthening. Heel raises mimics the movement you make when taking steps. Begin by sitting at the edge of the seat with both feet flat on the floor. Once you’re already in a comfortable position, slowly lift your heels. You’ll know you’re doing it right if you feel your ankles are extending and your calves tightening.
Unweighted treadmill systems in Miami use a harness to suspend one’s body weight while using a traditional treadmill. This promotes less strain on the patient’s bones, muscles, and joints. Paralysis survivors can benefit from this form of therapy. An unweighted treadmill also helps decrease the risk of injury in patients. This is a safe way to strengthen the legs and regain the ability to walk again.
Making mistakes and failing is part of the journey to recovery. So, don’t be too hard on yourself when things get blurry. Remember that you can always start again and still make improvements along the way.
We know that it’s hard to push yourself forward when discouragement pulls you backward. The best thing that you can do is to take small steps toward your goals. Improvements, no matter how small, put you a step closer to recovery.
Losing the ability to walk can make you feel small and weak, but believe that you are strong and can make big things! Your mind may want you to give up, but it doesn’t mean you should. Remember, you are a survivor, and you will also survive this difficult phase.
You are allowed to have down moments, feel angry, and get exhausted. But you can always stand back up and go through this challenge with courage and strength. So, get up and keep going.
Whether you’re performing simple stretches or unweighted treadmill systems in Miami, remember that you can move forward at your own pace. It can be tiring and draining, but they are what you need to allow your legs to recover fully at the end of the day.
For inspiration, i AM ABLE offers an amazing eBook entitled 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. Download it today and get full access to this beautiful resource that speaks hope and motivation to everyone going through a rough paralysis recovery.
Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.
