Lupus and Exercise

It is important to exercise when you have SLE. The key is to start very gently and increase slowly to enable you to establish your body’s response to exercise. Remember that it is normal to feel a mild increase in both muscle fatigue and general fatigue following exercise but this will improve as your capacity to exercise increases. Of course common sense prevails, if you find that you need a whole day to recover from exercise, the duration or intensity should be decreased. A common trap that people with SLE fall in to is doing too much on a day that they feel good. Keeping an exercise diary outlining the activity performed and your body’s response will enable you to determine the type of exercise that suits you best.

The type of exercise you undertake should be an activity you enjoy. Exercising with a friend may help you to commit to regular exercise, it also makes it more enjoyable. Hydrotherapy is a good form of exercise for people with SLE as it enables you to exercise at a reasonable intensity without putting too much strain on your joints.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle leading to an increased risk of fracture. People with SLE are at increased risk for osteoporosis both as a direct result of the disease process itself, medication used to manage SLE (such as glucocorticoids) and inactivity. Weight bearing exercise such as walking and dancing helps build and maintain bone strength. Variety is the key as bone responds better to new challenges. However, too much force may increase pain in tender joints. Ask your physiotherapist to design a programme specific for your individual needs.One symptom of SLE is joint pain. If a joint is particularly sore then it is important to rest that joint for a few days then slowly resume activity.

Remember to protect yourself from the sun when exercising. Exercise early in the morning or late afternoon/evening, wear sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat and loose fitting long sleeved clothing.

Trials investigating exercise training in patients with SLE have demonstrated that moderate exercise is safe and does not cause a flare in disease activity. The important factor to remember is that every person is different – there are no hard and fast rules for exercise type, duration or intensity. Seek advice from a physiotherapist regarding an exercise program to suit your individual needs.

If you reside in Australia you may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate for a total of five allied health visits per annum (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry) – speak to your GP regarding an enhanced primary care plan.

More details are available on the website http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Chronic+Disease+Allied+Health+Individual+Services