Exercise

Because people with Marfan are cautioned against contact sports, heavy lifting, and exerting excessive force, not all exercise is ideal.

See also: "Exercise for Individuals with Marfan Syndrome," Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal, Sep 2006 by Dennison, Ann D, Certo, Catherine

See also: "Valsalva's Maneuver," by: Erik T. Nason, MS, ATC/L, CSCS. From the RehabWorks website.

People with Marfan are prone to osteoporosis, and weight-bearing exercise can help combat bone thinning. Low-impact activities like walking and cycling are often preferred because they also limit stress on joints.

Exercise can also help to stabilize hypermobile/lax joints. Individuals with hyermobile or lax joints may overtax their joints without realizing it, owing to poor proprioperception (feedback) from the affected joints. This can lead to injuries. It is important to exercise lax joints very carefully using proper exercise technique.

Marfan patients are advised to exercise at their own pace and take rest breaks as needed. It probably wouldn't hurt to consult with your doctor before beginning any new/different exercise routines.

People in the Marfan community have pursued various kinds of exercise, including (but not limited to) the following:

Tai chi - This flowing form of total-body exercise may be especially good for spinal fusion patients. Exercises are done in a standing posture and emphasize keeping your spine perfectly straight. The turning motions in tai chi are based on moving your feet and hips rather than twisting your spine.
Yoga (Be careful of overextending joints. Some prefer to avoid inversions where the aorta is upside down.)
Pilates
Walking
Cycling
Swimming
Dance (lower-intensity forms, like line dancing and belly dancing)

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can be an important part of an overall treatment regimen for Marfan Syndrome, to address phyical rehab needs after major surgeries (such as heart surgeries and spinal fusions), to address joint and spinal pain, etc.

"Standard of Care, Marfan Syndrome: Physical Therapy Management of the patient with Marfan Syndrome," from the website of Brigham and Women's Department of Rehabilitation Services. Taking information like this to your first meeting with a physical therapist may help the therapist better know how to care for you and provide a way for you to begin talking with them about Marfan Syndrome.

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