It's all about swimming (1997)
Fausto Birigazzi in Italy writes:
"A recent diagnosis has determined my health problems to be Charcot-Marie Type II (neuronal form) disease. Symptoms started at the age of one and half years but it is only recently (I am 31) that the disease has been finally singled out.

"The symptoms started with walking problems (hanging foot) in
the legs and eventually affected also the arms. The symptoms progressed until the age of four. They then stabilized until the age of 28 when symptoms started worsening again...enhanced weakness in the legs.

I never took any specific medicines. However, at the age of 18, I was operated on my sural muscle to lengthen it in order to correct torsion of my left foot.

"Since the age of three, I regularly practice swimming. Currently I swim about one kilometre per day, practice cycling and exercise my abdominals.

"Apart from my physical problems, I am perfectly able. In fact, I recently graduated in law."

Dick Bachert, GA, U.S.A. writes to Linda via e-mail: "I wondered if you knew if swimming was a medically recognized therapy for the amelioration of CMT?"
Linda answers: Hi Dick! Swimming is only indicated if the person has enough stamina to actually get something out of it. Swimming can be exhausting for a person weak with CMT. And pushing yourself to swim is not smart. Doing laps is not smart either unless you are in condition. Never stay in long enough to exhaust yourself. If you feel weak and shakey, you've had enough. There is no "recognized" therapy for CMT. Nothing will make it "better" but swimming is thought of as being better than most exercises because it reduces stress on the joints when you are suspended in the water and works all of your muscles (including the ones served by CMT affected nerves, which is why you must pace yourself), so use common sense and you'll be fine.

Remember then, swimming for exercise is good but never swim until you are exhausted, and floating with just a little swimming can be a wonderful way to relax tired and aching CMT muscles.