> i guess i need to start
> exercising my upper and lower body even though the pt's in the hospital
said
> they couldn't do anything for me because i wasn't showing signs of
weakness.
I was very surprised that my physical therapist kept saying I had a lot of
strength. I thought, "Well, then, why don't my legs hold me up if they have
strength." They do now, most of the time, but didn't then without support. I'm
told that when nerve signals are interrupted, they seek a way to "reroute", so
I guess some of the exercise is to help stimulate that process. There is also
something called "muscle memory" that I have heard of but don't know much
about -- it involves keeping the muscles moving the way they are supposed to
even if they can't do it on their own yet. Exercise helps with flexibility and
helps combat stiffness, also.
Barbara H.