Stretch Yourself - Remain Limber As You Age

Remain limber as you age

- Laura Williams Bustos

BRADY PETERSON, A retired university professor in Texas, had always been active, working out and walking up to 16 kilometres a day. Then, about four years ago, after increasing stiffness and pain in his extremities, the 75-year-old was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disease that can affect every part of the body.

I couldn't even raise my arm above my head without it hurting, and just moving around in bed trying to sleep was painful, he recalls.

Peterson's rheumatologist wanted to prescribe the steroid prednisone long-term. But Peterson knew it could have significant side effects, ranging from loss of bone density to cataracts.

I asked my rheumatologist if I could work on an alternative approach before beginning the prednisone, he says. The doctor agreed and scheduled a follow-up appointment for six months later.