There are a few important precautions you must consider before viewing these videos. As with all exercise or activity, only your doctor and you can determine if it is safe for you to attempt to perform an exercise. In addition, you may wish to share these with your physical therapist so that they can better understand and recommend how to advise you to proceed. Precautions need to be taken to prevent you from falling such as having someone nearby until you are accustomed to doing these exercises or having a wall or piece of sturdy furniture nearby.

While these exercises are performed by an IBM patient, there is applicability to PM and DM patients as well. Myositis patients generally have weakening in their core muscles and especially their thighs; quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals and hip flexors. These muscles do more than enable us to walk; they also are critical in maintaining our balance and preventing falls.

There may be a temptation to watch the videos and then try them all. There may be a small population of patients who can accomplish this. However, it is more likely that you will only be able to perform a few of the moves, at least initially. Some of these clips are designated as easy and some are mild or difficult. Please note that the difficulty descriptions cannot apply for all myositis patients; even if an exercise or move is described as ‘easy’, it may be difficult or even impossible for some.  It should be up to your doctor, PT and your own body to determine what you attempt and how you progress. The exercises should never be performed to the point of pain.

Each Video is structured similarly. It helps to see the text description of the exercise along-side the demonstration of the exercise. The text area also indicates the intensity level of the movements, ranging from easy to easy to difficult. The following exercises require that in order to safely perform them, you be able to stand: Sit to Stand, Marching, Stabilizer, Crossover, OTIS, Stair Step, and Step with Band. These exercises require that you be able to take at least a few steps:  Marching, Crossover, Stair Step and Step with Band.

First, view the Introduction and Warm Up videos

The first videos to watch are the Introduction (2:45) and the Warm Up (5:51). These two explain why the videos were created and show comprehensive steps to stretch and loosen the muscles used in the following videos.

Introduction (2:45 mins): Judy and Jim talk about creating these videos to help Jim’s balance, dexterity and agility; all to decrease his likelihood of falling.

Warmup (5:51 mins): where Judy and Jim demonstrate gentle stretches to warm the muscles before exercising. Warning: not everyone will be able to do all these moves, and they should not be attempted without an experienced ‘spotter’.

Now you’re ready to view the remaining videos

Then view the remaining videos. Eventually you can develop your own exercise routine to address your unique needs. Be sure to continue checking in with your doctor and/or physical therapist to track your progress. Best wishes to you in your exercise experiences!

Sit to Stand (2:42 mins): demonstrates how to practice standing from a seated position and then sitting back down again. This offers the option to increase the difficulty by use of a rubber Theraband.

Marching (2:17 mins): an exaggerated stepping or marching exercise to improve balance and coordination.

Clamshell (3:42 mins): an exercise to be performed lying down, to strengthen the lateral thigh muscles. A Theraband may be used to increase the resistance.

Stabilizer Ball Squats (1:50 mins): requires the use of an inflated exercise ball and helps to increase balance and thigh muscle strength. A Theraband may be used to increase the resistance.

Crossover Step (2:23 mins): is an exercise to strengthen the four sides of the thigh muscles and requires a nearby wall and probably a person nearby to assist as needed.

Oscillating Technique in Standing (2:43 mins): an advanced exercise to improve balance and stability. It requires a Theraband and a door.

Stair Step (4:23 mins): the exercise requires an elevated platform or stair plus hand-hold for stability.

Stepping with Band (2:59 mins): an advanced exercise to improve balance and strengthen the muscles used to walk. It requires a Theraband and door.

Thank you!
TMA is grateful to Jim Berg and to his two physical therapists, Judy Hensley and Justin Sneed. Their efforts to create and share this set of exercise videos is a generous contribution to all myositis patients.

Special thanks are also due to Jamie Moore of
Playback + Productions, Kansas City
James Moore – Owner / Creative Director
marketing@playbackproductions.net
816-674-5463