How to perform leg exercises for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)

If you suffer from a form of CMT that helps your flexibility if you do exercises than I have a leg exercise that might help you. My husband has suffered from CMT for the majority of his life (47 years) and he has learned to manage his stiffness and pain with this exercise that I am showing you here. I would like to state that, please see your doctor before you start any stretching exercises so you do not harm yourself or cause any damage to your muscles. CMT is a serious illness and any new exercise should be discussed with your doctor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• rubber stretch tubing
• exercise mat or firm bed

1. Be sure you are sitting in a comfortable level area Lay out on a exercise mat or a firm bed to perform these exercises. The whole key is to stay balanced and level when you are doing this to prevent any possible injury.
2. With rubber tubing around foot, press foot down. Repeat 30 for each foot. Do 1 session per day.
3. With the rubber tubing anchored, pull foot toward face. Return slowly to starting position, relax. Repeat 30 times each foot. Do 1 session per day.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform all of these exercises slow and steady to prevent possible injury.
• If you have the slightest pain in either leg while doing these exercises stop immediately and see a doctor. CMT is a serious illness that needs to be monitored by your health care provider and any new possible exercise needs to be discussed with them for approval.