Unless an exercise program is added, antibiotic treatment will not produce complete remission for the patient with chronic Lyme disease.  Clear and simple. That having been said, I understand personally how hard it is to move when you feel exhausted and in pain.  Yet, unless this ennui is challenged a more complete “healing” cannot occur.

Theories abound as to how this works:  exercise may provide sufficient oxygenation to promote organism die-off, and then again, it may be the increase in core body temperature which promotes killing off the Bb, in combination with the antibiotics.  A third factor may be the mobilization of lymph fluids which enhance immune functioning.

There is evidence that regular exercise promotes T-cell function.  However, aerobic exercise depresses t-cell functioning for 12 to 24+ hours, then rebounds.  Aerobics is therefore not recommended.

Goal:  intermittent exercise alternating with rest and quality sleep.  In the beginning if you are severely ill it may be effective to exercise one day then rest 3 to 5 days, reducing the days of rest as stamina increases.  It is recommended that you do not exercise two days in a row in the beginning!

In severe cases the protocol may begin with physical therapy involving heat, massage, ultrasound and simple range of motion exercises. Ice and electrical stimulation should not be used!

The program should evolve into a graduated, ultimately strenuous program consisting of a specific regimen of not-aerobic conditioning.  An hour of gentle exercise, hot bath or shower and a nap until stamina returns.

A cardiac stress test may be neessary prior to instituting the protocol to ensure safty.

I hope you found this series helpful.  If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them in the comment section.

Blessings,

Cynthia