Topic: rebounding

Hi bingbing,

My joints had trouble on a treadmill, but fortunately have been fine on my rebounder.

I have been rebounding for over a year and I rebound barefoot. I was told to start off rebounding in a limited way (one minute daily) and then slowly work up. I was also told not to rebound just in socks, as they are too slippery, but that barefoot or in sneakers would be okay, however, I prefer barefeet for rebounding.

Best wishes for enjoying your rebounder!

I use mine barefoot or in socks.

Hi Binney! - In answer to your question, when I bounce, I do what is called the "health bounce," in which one's feet do not leave the rebounder.

Hi Everybody!  I have had my rebounder for around a year now.  It is the type that has the safety grab bar to help keep my balance.  My rebounder instructions also said to always wear shoes when using it.  I have been on it a few times in bare feet but I would be careful if only wearing socks since you might have a little less traction.

When I first started rebounding, it was so much fun I got a little over enthusiastic and felt it in my knees the next couple of days.  I have learned that the gentle method, always keep your feet touching the surface is the best.  Slow, rhythmic "health bouncing" as Neat calls it, will cause your skin to move with the force of gravity in a back and forth motion which would certainly stimulate the lymphatics.

Because I have arm LE I make a point while bouncing to raise my left (affected) arm above my head as I hold on to the grab bar with my right .  I will alternate arms when one arm starts to tire.  Sometimes I bounce with both arms raised above my head when I am feeling stable. 

I just sort of go with how I am feeling at the time.  If I have been out all day shopping, carrying groceries or heavy bags and my arm starts to feel a little "full" or achy, I will bounce for 3-5 minutes while watching TV.  I also like to bounce first thing in the morning when I have time to  "jump start" the lymphatics early in the day.

It will be interesting if one day a real clinical study is done on the benefits of rebounding.  But for now, I think as long as one uses good judgement by not overdoing it, or jumping too vigorously, (especially if you have known joint problems), it is unlikely it will do any harm and in fact I believe more likely it will do actual good.

Be aware that alot of rebounders are sold with accompanying "exercise dvds" or specific exercise programs.  Keep in mind that these programs are not at all geared for the best benefit of lymphedema patients.  Most of the exercises are for losing weight, gaining muscle strength and coordination etc.  If you attempt to follow those programs you may find them much more difficult to do and problematic for your LE.  I watched my dvd program just once and decided I needed to be 20 years younger and without LE to participate at that level!  Stick with the short periods of gentle bouncing.... not jumping... to get the best benefit.

Just go slow at first if you are new to rebounding.  See how you feel the next day and gradually work up to at least a few minutes everyday.

rrs,

Regarding your question about seeing a difference after rebounding or just feeling better in general, I do feel generally better, plus my left arm (my worst LE problem area) feels better after rebounding. If my left arm feels a bit achy, rebounding usually makes it feel significantly better...many times all better.

I don't think that I see reduced swelling from rebounding that is visually noticeable, but my swelling is now small, so someone else's experience might be different.

Best wishes with the rebounding!