The nature of the connective tissue disorder, scleroderma, can vary widely in those with the condition. In some, it only affects the skin while in others, it affects internal areas such as the organs and digestive tract. Exercise can help with many aspects of this disease. Work with a physical therapist to help you design an exercise program.
Reducing Fatigue
Fatigue is a common problem with scleroderma and while exercise might be unappealing when feeling this way, being physically inactive can worsen the fatigue associated with your condition, according to the Johns Hopkins University Scleroderma Center. It recommends regular exercise to fight fatigue and increase energy. It cautions you to take it easy and not to push yourself beyond what you can comfortably handle.
Range of Motion
Joint health can be greatly affected with this condition; inflammation and hardening of the skin around the joints can affect range-of-motion. Exercises that work the joints form an important part of any exercise regimen to manage scleroderma. Physical therapist Jane Brandenstein recommends doing range-of-motion exercise in the morning after a warm shower. She recommends going as far as you can in each exercise and holding the position for about 10 seconds; do each exercise at least five times. Examples of range-of-motion exercises include stretching your fingers on a flat surface or opening your mouth as wide as you can.
Improving Circulation
Scleroderma can negatively impact circulation and the health of the blood vessels, according to the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Cardiovascular exercise improves blood flow. The level of cardiovascular activity you can handle will depend on the nature of your condition but even a short walk after each meal can help. Talk to your doctor about appropriate types of cardiovascular exercise.
Preventing Muscle Contracture
Exercises to strengthen the muscles can prevent contractures, a possible complication of scleroderma. Contractures are the loss of muscle function due to changes in tissue. The hardening of the tissues produces inflexible muscle fibers that can limit use of the muscle. When doing strengthening exercises, limit to them to about every other day to allow for adequate recovery time.
Regular stretching also will help maintain muscle health. Warming up the joints and muscles before stretching can help reduce discomfort. Avoid levels of heat that could burn the skin. Possible tools include microwaveable heat packs or electrical heating pads. Brandenstein recommends limiting applications to between 15 and 30 minutes.
Reducing Pain
Since this condition can cause pain that can derail exercise efforts, Brandenstein recommends taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as extra-strength acetaminophen, about an hour before your exercise session.
