March is movin' and groovin' Kim,

What I See Most in Physical Therapy

Over my 19 years as a physical therapist in the outpatient setting, I’ve treated a wide range of conditions. In recent years, however, I’ve seen a noticeable increase in patients living with autoimmune diseases affecting the musculoskeletal and nervous systems—both in the clinic and in my personal life.

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and Parkinson’s disease can slowly erode independence. People grieve the loss of ease in movement, experience more falls, struggle with daily tasks like showering and dressing, and feel left behind by the pace of life.

It’s difficult to watch—and even harder to live.

Autoimmune Conditions Affecting Movement

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the joints, leading to inflammation and joint damage. Unlike osteoarthritis (OA), which is due to wear and tear affecting the bigger joints like hips, knees and shoulders, RA often begins in the smaller joints of the hands, wrists, and feet. RA can cause significant joint deformities over time. It can progress to larger joints and organs.

Morning stiffness lasting longer than 45 minutes, joint swelling, flare-ups, and difficulty with fine motor tasks are common. RA affects women more often than men and is typically diagnosed in midlife, though juvenile RA exists.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
MS damages the protective coating around nerves extending beyond the spinal cord, disrupting communication between the brain and body. Symptoms vary widely but often include difficulty walking, weakness, coordination challenges, fatigue, dizziness, vision changes, and cognitive difficulties.

Women are affected more frequently, though men tend to experience faster progression. MS presents differently across populations, with increasing recognition of its impact in diverse communities.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
SLE can affect the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, heart, and brain. Symptoms vary widely and may include fatigue, joint pain, shortness of breath, headaches, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and the characteristic butterfly rash on the face. SLE affects women 9x more than men and is most common in black Americans. 

Diagnosis can be challenging due to symptom overlap with other conditions.

Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s involves degeneration of dopamine-producing brain cells, leading to slowed movement, muscle stiffness, balance issues, and characteristic gait changes. Symptoms may also include low blood pressure, sleep disturbances, cognitive changes, swallowing difficulties, and reduced facial expression.

One fascinating finding: constipation often precedes diagnosis by nearly a decade.

Tip of the Week: Movement & Balance

Movement is medicine—even here.

“Motion is lotion,” but balance training is just as essential. Working with a PT, OT, or movement specialist can help you move safely and effectively.

A couple exercises to try:

• Sit-to-stand from a sturdy chair (use hands as needed, then progress to limited or no hand help)
• Balance progression at the kitchen sink with goal to hold 30 seconds:
• Feet together (really together side by side)
• Heel-to-toe (like walking a tight-rope)
• Single-leg stance (like a flamingo)

Being able to stand on one leg for more than 10 seconds is linked to lower all-cause mortality.

Remission and improved quality of life are possible.

Coming Next Week

Next week we will touch on autoimmune conditions that impact the skin and some internal organs can cause visible and invisible pain and inflammation.

Connecting Together

Perhaps you have reached a time when you could use some help, if so please check out my calendar to schedule a Find Your Energy Discover Session with me. If you are curious and live at a distance, you can schedule a Virtual Coffee Chat and if you are near the Charleston area of SC you could schedule a Local Coffee Chat with me. 

“Find your balance, find your strength.”

Channel your inner flamingo,
Kim
Hope & Healing Lifestyle Coach
Website: hopeandhealinglifestyle.com
Email: kim@hopeandhealinglifestyle.com