Getting in Your Car #shorts

Climbing into the car can be hard with MS, so you might be inclined to use your arms to help, butttt you might want to think twice.

If you’re new here, hi! 👋 I’m Dr. Gretchen, an MS-specialized physical therapist who helps people with MS around the world get stronger and live independently & empowered 👩‍⚕️

Using your arms to lift your leg into the car might seem like the best option, right?

After all, it might be the only way you can get your body into the car.

But here’s the thing…

⚠️ By relying on your arms, you’re training your brain to skip over using your leg muscles altogether.

Meaning -- your brain won't understand that you should use your muscles when getting in or out of the car & therefore, your muscles are less likely to activate.

Even if you KNOW with certainty that your leg won’t lift due to weakness, it’s still important to try a few times before using your arms!

➡️ Why? Because your brain needs that signal to tell your body you want to use those muscles!

The more you practice this, the better your muscles can respond.

Yep -- even if every time you attempt to lift your leg without your arms, your leg doesn't lift. It's still helpful!

Give it a try at your car or even in a chair at home so you can give your legs a chance to get stronger! 💪

Will you try this out this week? Let me know in the comments! 💬

[DoctorGretchenHawley]

Climbing into the car can be hard with MS, so you might be inclined to use your arms to help, butttt you might want to think twice.

If you’re new here, hi! 👋 I’m Dr. Gretchen, an MS-specialized physical therapist who helps people with MS around the world get stronger and live independently & empowered 👩‍⚕️

Using your arms to lift your leg into the car might seem like the best option, right?

After all, it might be the only way you can get your body into the car.

But here’s the thing…

⚠️ By relying on your arms, you’re training your brain to skip over using your leg muscles altogether.

Meaning -- your brain won't understand that you should use your muscles when getting in or out of the car & therefore, your muscles are less likely to activate.

Even if you KNOW with certainty that your leg won’t lift due to weakness, it’s still important to try a few times before using your arms!

➡️ Why? Because your brain needs that signal to tell your body you want to use those muscles!

The more you practice this, the better your muscles can respond.

Yep -- even if every time you attempt to lift your leg without your arms, your leg doesn't lift. It's still helpful!

Give it a try at your car or even in a chair at home so you can give your legs a chance to get stronger! 💪

Will you try this out this week? Let me know in the comments! 💬

[vivip]

Wow! This is a great post! I always use my hand to lift my left leg when getting into the car and never thought about this! I will change it and update you! Thank you! Your posts are so so helpful!

[dinakennedy]

I saw this the day you posted it and have been working with it since. I've not needed to be in the car yet, but I am using this as I get in and out of chairs, . I am reminding my body and brain that I want to turn the muscles on. And I'll be darned if even in just a few days getting in and out of my favorite low chair hasn't gotten easier as I take it slow, try getting up and out of the chair without needing my arms, visualize it working, then get up. My muscles are truly turning back on!!! I had to post this as it is blowing my mind in a very good way. THANK YOU. Can you please give me the link to a walking video or short to try?

[maryhinze-joyce]

Never thought of that before but it makes sense (like everything you nicely post for us😊). I generally life my legs in individually, except when I have been out for a bit and am getting rundown energy wise. I can always lift my left leg into the car, being the passenger, place my face right into the air coming from the A/C (when it is warm and definitely when it is hot) place my right hand on the outside of my Right knee press in for a little bit and then I can lift that leg into the car, as long as my hand stays right there. Don’t know how or why this works but for me it does and that’s all I care about.

[shrinivaskrish]

I'll keep trying to get the leg up and over the footboard! But will need to lift my leg in at least initially. Thanks doc!

[RoseFlaherty]

With out using my hand to lift my leg I wouldn’t be able to get into the car 😮

[joannepowell]

I will try but the last 6 months it has been getting worse and harder to get right leg in the car 😢

[ginathecookie]

My legs are already weak. My arms make up for them.

Of course it depends on the car, if it's small or not low down, yeah, extra help. Bc my legs are too long.

-RA, though. Not MS.

[sophie.]

What about mobility aids you've shown us though that lift the leg?

[meeradabysing]

Hello Doctor..I have right knee drop..it is giving me pain in my butt and hip..PLEASE suggest some HELP 🙏🙏.

[ahmedjendialnemari]

I always try to swing my leg into the car first if that fails i give my self a helping hand 😅

[muckomoj]

I will definitely try not to use my hand and exercise❤