So I already did an exercise entry, but here are tips on exercising, without actually exercising. These are some ways to help flexibility in your arm by keeping it active. So let’s get started!
#1 GOOD POSTURE. Now posture is good for everyone, but especially for us Brachioplexasauruses -our
dinosaur nickname (I have it on a shirt from when I was little lol I think it's clever). Keep your shoulders pulled backward and stand straight. This is really good for your shoulder, and the balance of your whole body. BPI affects more than just our arms. If you haven't noticed, you probably aren't totally proportionate. I'm not. My feet go inward a little, and my hips are not aligned. Walking straight is imperative; try to be more cautious and straighten up when you notice yourself slouching!
#2 REACHING. Like reaching for things above your head when trying to get something off the top shelf. Don't ask your really tall dad, or someone else to get it this time, use your arm! You can use both if that will help. When you reach above your head with both arms, it seems to go further up as if it's copying your other arm; using the one can be harder....or it's just all in our heads hehe.
#3 REPLACING YOUR UNAFFECTED ARM, WITH YOUR AFFECTED ARM. Try to use your BPI arm instead of your unaffected arm as much as possible, ( but do not neglect the other arm, I mean you still need to get dressed in the morning). But you can try to open doors using your affected arm, cook your food, do your hair, wave to people, use the mouse on your computer, carry your books...Pretend that you can't use your good arm, unless it is a dire situation and it will really push you to use it more. Even if your range of motion is small, using it for simple things everyday will loosen up the muscle since it is active (especially for those of us who don't exercise it enough).
#4 WASHING YOUR HAIR. Make sure that when you are washing your hair in the shower, you are using both arms. I'm used to using one, not all the time, but I find myself not using my left arm. I have to remind myself that it is a two hand job. If you need to, support your elbow on the wall. Also, stretching in the shower is good becasue the warm water relaxes your muscles. I try to raise my arms up over my head at least 5 times.
#5 STRETCH IN THE MORNING RIGHT AFTER YOU WAKE. "One normal response to waking up in the morning is to give your body a nice long stretch to rejuvenate the senses and promote flexibility in the
joints."-Livestrong. Stretching in the morning will increase the blood flow in your body. I know you guys have complained about how one arm or hand feels colder than the other arm or hand. This will happen to me when I leave my arm down by my side for a while in school; you should really try to keep it on the desk, so the blood flows more evenly throughout.
*"Stretching first thing in the morning can help make your muscles more flexible this leads to overall muscle relaxation. Muscle tightness can lead to discomfort, cramping and pain. Stretching allows the fibers of your muscles to warm up and relax, reducing the risk of injury. If you are already facing pain such as back pain from an injury or disease, stretching can help mobilize your spine and the surrounding soft tissue. This will improve your overall range of motion and fluidity within your joints."-Livestrong
This is especially important because some people sleep in a curled up position (like me!) keeping their arms close to their chest. It is good to stretch out your arm in the morning after being in that position for hours. To help though, you can sleep with your arm on a pillow, or you may, like myself, have a device to keep your elbow straight. I need to start wearing it again : )
It's at the bottom-the pic of it-I just put my arm into it, and my thumb goes through the whole at the top. The other side, well there is no other side, it is one sided. It stays on with velcro strips. It's not too bad to wear, it has plushy blue spongy like material inside to make it more comfortable. And since it is one sided, your arm can breathe, mine even has holes in it.
Well, I hope these few tips can help, let me know if you want me to write about anything in particular!
#1 GOOD POSTURE. Now posture is good for everyone, but especially for us Brachioplexasauruses -our
dinosaur nickname (I have it on a shirt from when I was little lol I think it's clever). Keep your shoulders pulled backward and stand straight. This is really good for your shoulder, and the balance of your whole body. BPI affects more than just our arms. If you haven't noticed, you probably aren't totally proportionate. I'm not. My feet go inward a little, and my hips are not aligned. Walking straight is imperative; try to be more cautious and straighten up when you notice yourself slouching!
#2 REACHING. Like reaching for things above your head when trying to get something off the top shelf. Don't ask your really tall dad, or someone else to get it this time, use your arm! You can use both if that will help. When you reach above your head with both arms, it seems to go further up as if it's copying your other arm; using the one can be harder....or it's just all in our heads hehe.
#3 REPLACING YOUR UNAFFECTED ARM, WITH YOUR AFFECTED ARM. Try to use your BPI arm instead of your unaffected arm as much as possible, ( but do not neglect the other arm, I mean you still need to get dressed in the morning). But you can try to open doors using your affected arm, cook your food, do your hair, wave to people, use the mouse on your computer, carry your books...Pretend that you can't use your good arm, unless it is a dire situation and it will really push you to use it more. Even if your range of motion is small, using it for simple things everyday will loosen up the muscle since it is active (especially for those of us who don't exercise it enough).
#4 WASHING YOUR HAIR. Make sure that when you are washing your hair in the shower, you are using both arms. I'm used to using one, not all the time, but I find myself not using my left arm. I have to remind myself that it is a two hand job. If you need to, support your elbow on the wall. Also, stretching in the shower is good becasue the warm water relaxes your muscles. I try to raise my arms up over my head at least 5 times.
#5 STRETCH IN THE MORNING RIGHT AFTER YOU WAKE. "One normal response to waking up in the morning is to give your body a nice long stretch to rejuvenate the senses and promote flexibility in the
joints."-Livestrong. Stretching in the morning will increase the blood flow in your body. I know you guys have complained about how one arm or hand feels colder than the other arm or hand. This will happen to me when I leave my arm down by my side for a while in school; you should really try to keep it on the desk, so the blood flows more evenly throughout.
*"Stretching first thing in the morning can help make your muscles more flexible this leads to overall muscle relaxation. Muscle tightness can lead to discomfort, cramping and pain. Stretching allows the fibers of your muscles to warm up and relax, reducing the risk of injury. If you are already facing pain such as back pain from an injury or disease, stretching can help mobilize your spine and the surrounding soft tissue. This will improve your overall range of motion and fluidity within your joints."-Livestrong
This is especially important because some people sleep in a curled up position (like me!) keeping their arms close to their chest. It is good to stretch out your arm in the morning after being in that position for hours. To help though, you can sleep with your arm on a pillow, or you may, like myself, have a device to keep your elbow straight. I need to start wearing it again : )
It's at the bottom-the pic of it-I just put my arm into it, and my thumb goes through the whole at the top. The other side, well there is no other side, it is one sided. It stays on with velcro strips. It's not too bad to wear, it has plushy blue spongy like material inside to make it more comfortable. And since it is one sided, your arm can breathe, mine even has holes in it.
Well, I hope these few tips can help, let me know if you want me to write about anything in particular!