Maintaining your health is very important for everyone but more so if you have a disability. Muscles and blood flow can be a problem if you are not moving about regularly. It is also important to put the right fuel into your body with a balanced diet so that your body can maintain a good immune system.

If you have trouble with movement, it is very important to keep your muscle tone going or problems can get worse and muscles will stiffen through lack of exercise. Even with limited movement its important to try and maintain blood flow. This can be done in a variety of ways.

Start first with a few gentle movements and massage the muscle causing trouble gently  (get someone to help if its a problem for you)

Music is a great help. Find a piece that you like which encourages you to move and try to dance sitting or standing any way that you can move even slightly is a great benefit and if you are not used to this, it gets better the more you try, but STOP if you begin to feel uncomfortable.

Get out in the fresh air and breath deeply and regularly while walking or in your wheelchair. Find out if there is a park near you its always better if you can take in a good view. Find out if there is a project running at your park using volunteers to help maintain the park, this can be very beneficial in several ways because its a way of meeting people on a regular basis and having encouragement to get out.

Tai Chi is a really good exercise as it improves the Body, Mind, and Soul and a gentle form of movement. You can find classes at your local community centre.

Ease Sore muscles by applying an ice pack for 20 minutes to any area that hurts. Repeat this every hour until the pain subsides.

Opt for heat if you have a chronic condition or continual episodes of pain. In these situations heat can be more beneficial ( if you are not treating an acute injury) Try a heat pad or warm bath or shower.

Stretch the sore area gently to loosen up damaged muscles.

Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water daily- more if you are active to hydrate your body.

Avoid too strenuous activity if you are in pain.

Get a massage.

Massage has been touted a panacea for all sorts of ailments and although the scientific proof is sparse, every one agrees that a massage sure makes you feel good!

Avoid eating close to the time of your massage. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your appointment and RELAX you are there to enjoy!

Wear clothing which is easy to remove, if you plan to keep your clothes on, wear something like loose shorts and a jogging bra if you are a woman or Boxer shorts for a man; these options make it easier for the therapist to work on you.

You must tell your therapist about any health concerns, if you may be pregnant or if you have had any injuries.

Please make sure you tell the therapist if there are area's that you do not want to be touched or an area where you would like special work done.

Breath normally and relax your mind and body and enjoy!

PS

Make sure your therapist is qualified and of a preferential sex.