Physical Therapy For Post-polio Syndrome

From 1916 to 1955, an epidemic of the polio virus, or poliomyelitis, occurred in the United States. Twenty to 30 years later, some polio survivors began experiencing a cluster of symptoms, such as new and increased muscle weakness, fatigue and pain, called post-polio syndrome. A physical therapy program might benefit people with post-polio syndrome in several ways, but discontinue or reduce any exercise that causes fatigue or pain.

Physical Therapy

Post-polio syndrome, or PPS, can compromise your breathing, swallowing and walking and impede your ability to function on a day-to-day basis. A physical therapist, or PT, will assess factors such as your current muscle strength and cardiopulmonary health, or heart and lung function. After completing assessments, the PT will collaborate with your doctor and design a plan that might help maintain or build muscle strength, improve muscle and joint flexibility and increase your aerobic capacity, or oxygen intake. In addition, your therapist will observe your method of mobility, such as walking or using a wheelchair, and might suggest beneficial modifications. Your physical therapy program also might include modified daily-living techniques to help conserve your energy, such as resting between tasks and pacing your activities.

Strength Therapy

Although high-intensity strength exercises might cause further muscle weakening, physical therapist Marianne T. Weiss recommends low-level resistance activities for some people with PPS. Based on observations of around 100 polio survivors with PPS, Weiss determined that muscle strength remained stable in those who consistently participated in strengthening activities for at least two years, and -- in a few cases -- certain muscles exhibited increased strength. If your muscle strength is 50 percent or greater, you may participate in a physical therapy program at home that uses zero to 3 lbs. of free-weight resistance. Hold the weight two to five seconds and rest for two to five seconds. Weiss suggests completing two to five repetitions of weight lifting and progressing to 10 repetitions. Perform this exercise two to three times weekly.

Aerobic Therapy

Low-impact aerobic exercises might benefit people with PPS that do not have severe cardiopulmonary problems. To exercise your upper and lower extremities, your PT might suggest lap swimming or using a cycle ergometer that measures the amount of work you perform. Walking might not be recommended due to the trauma it produces in PPS patients with walking abnormalities. Weiss recommends 15 to 20 minutes of total aerobic exercises, including periods of warming up and cooling down. Perform aerobic exercises a maximum of three times weekly and alternate two to five minutes of exercise with one minute of rest. In addition, complete aerobic exercises at a level of 20 percent of your maximum capacity and, as tolerable, increase the intensity of your workout by 10 percent each month, according to Weiss.

Stretching and Breathing Therapy

Range-of-motion exercises, such as stretching, and proper breathing techniques might improve the daily functioning of people with PPS. Your muscles can become stiff and need continuous stretching to maintain flexibility. A lack of flexibility also can cause pain and deformity. Participating in a passive stretching program -- stretching exercises performed with a friend, family member or therapist -- over a period of several weeks can greatly inhibit your pain and promote normal motor movements, notes Weiss.

Most people with PPS also can benefit from using proper breathing techniques. Your PT can provide you with abdominal-breathing methods that promote efficient oxygen intake and strengthen your abdominal muscles. Abdominal breathing techniques involve inhaling deeply through the nose and prolonged exhaling through your mouth.

Physical Therapy for Post-Polio Syndrome