|
I was introduced to this
exerciser in August 2006. I had seen another model. It only had one
speed, 160rpm. I watched someone using it and felt being shaken like
that was not something I wished to experience as it would probably set
off a bout of MS symptoms.
I took part in a 30 day
trial run by Energy for Health (who sell chi exercisers) with health
practitioners and patients
using the Mark 2 model.
I used the machine while
lying on my bed and started for a few minutes twice a day at the lowest
speed, 80rpm, building up time and speed gradually.
During the trial I had to
get used to the movement. I experienced headaches and other reactions
that passed as I would reduce the time and speed for a few days. I
expected some kind of reaction as it was helping the body’s circulation
and that would ‘release toxins’.
Over the four weeks of
the trial the main things I noticed were:
·
Reduction
in pain in legs;
·
Some
mobility in pelvis area
·
Easier to
stand with back, hips and feet more aligned with what physio tells me to
do
·
Less
tension in shoulders
·
Using pedal
exerciser more, and no longer a chore, but enjoying the feeling of
movement of legs
·
Improvement
in sleep
·
Initially
made me more relaxed, and deeper breathing after using; think this is
being converted in to the beginnings of a feeling of wellbeing that I
have not had for some time, and the sort of physical feeling that used
to come from a good walk.
·
Ankles were
not very swollen, as I made a point of putting my feet up often, but
hardly any problem with swollen ankles in last two weeks of the trial
·
sit for
longer at computer, and if was not getting pain in soles of feet would
be walking better
·
And best of
all, the heavy fatigue feeling has gone; still getting the MS tiredness,
but that is part of the demyelination.
I was pleased with the
results I had using the exerciser, so I bought one. I have used it daily
(two or three times for 5-15 minutes).
In May 2007 I was able to
get up from the floor on my own with the aid of a chair. So I now use
the exerciser on the floor.
There are different
models of Chi Exerciser available. The technical bit to look at is its
motor. I think what enabled me to be able to use it (and enjoy it) was
the control I had over the speed. Sometimes I want a slow, relaxing
‘ride’, other times the pleasure of more movement.
The Mark 2 model has 3
auto programs. My favourite is auto 2, which over 15 minutes goes from
80rpm to
140rpm max, maintains speed, and then comes down to 95rpm.
TOP |