Graded Exercise

Energy for life

Getting regular gentle exercise does help relieve and control symptoms.
A "graded exercise program" is the medical way of starting the 'pacing' process. They begin with an activity that can be done comfortably, and increase the level of activity every few days.
However, Getting too much exercise or increasing the level of exercise too quickly can make symptoms worse, so this particular treatment can be very hit and miss at first.
The main problem is that it is quite difficult for a patient to know just how much exercise they can handle and to be able to recognise the early warning signs of their body signaling a need to stop or slow down.

Here's a rundown of what an average 'Energy for life program' or GE course will entail:

Session One
	9-10 Group discussion of expectations and fears, symptoms associated with the condition
	10-10.30 cycle of chronic fatigue/ pain and how to break the cycle
	10.30-11.30 exercise session (light physio/ circuit training)
	11.30-12 goal setting
Session Two
	9-10 review of goals
	10-10.30 factors affecting fatigue/ pain: thoughts behaviours emotions and external factors
	10.30-11.30 exercise session
	11.30-12 goal setting
Session Three
	9-10 review of goals
	10-10.30 advantages/ disadvantages of pacing
	10.30-11.30 exercise session (light physio/ circuit training)
	11.30-12 goal setting
Session Four
	9-10 review of goals
	10-10.30 barriers to return to physical activity
	10.30-11.30 exercise session (light physio/ circuit training)
	11.30-12 goal setting
Session Five
	9-10 review of goals
	10-10.30 strategies for coping with fatigue/ pain
	10.30-11.30 exercise session (light physio/ circuit training)
	11.30-12 goal setting
Session Six
	9-10 review of goals
	10-10.30 overview of management strategies
	10.30-11.30 exercise session (light physio/ circuit training)
	11.30-12 goal setting

There are also likely to be questionnaires each week about how the course is affecting the symptoms.

The exercise session initially consists of 6 exercises starting at one minute for each with a rest of one minute in between, followed by some light stretching.
This is gradually increased over the course of 6 weeks, with the patient expected to continue doing at least the stretches once each day.