FND Recovery: How Movement Retraining Progresses From First Sessions to Daily Routines

She can carry a laundry basket up the stairs while arguing with her teenager about homework. Ask her to lift that same right leg on command in a quiet room, and it trembles, drags, then stops. The neurologist called this pattern a positive sign, not a mystery. Her first question, once the word functional had settled, was the one almost everyone asks: how long is this going to take?

An honest FND recovery timeline is less a calendar than a route map. The first stretch is about understanding why the leg behaves differently under attention. The middle stretch is about retraining, in short, deliberate sessions with a physiotherapist who knows the condition. The long stretch, the one that actually matters, is about folding those tricks into the stairs, the shopping, the school run.

This explainer walks through each stretch as clinicians describe it, what the evidence supports, and where the promises stop.

What an FND recovery timeline really describes

Functional neurological disorder, or FND, is a condition in which the brain’s networks for controlling movement, sensation or awareness stop working properly, even though the structure of the brain and nerves is intact. The comparison clinicians most often reach for is a software problem rather than a hardware fault, and it is a fair one: the wiring is there, but the signals are being sent and received in a disordered way. The NHS and Mayo Clinic both describe FND in these terms, and the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke lists it among the more common reasons people are referred to neurology clinics.

When people search for an FND recovery timeline, they usually want a number. What clinicians can offer instead is a sequence of phases that most people move through, at very different speeds:

• Understanding: learning what the diagnosis means and why symptoms behave the way they do.
• Retraining: guided sessions that change how movement is produced and attended to.
• Generalizing: carrying those changes out of the clinic and into ordinary tasks.
• Maintaining: keeping a self-management plan going and handling flare-ups.

These phases overlap. Someone may still be absorbing the diagnosis while their first retraining sessions begin, and setbacks can send a person briefly back to an earlier phase without erasing what they have gained. The Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms can last anywhere from days to years, which is exactly why a single expected duration would mislead more than it helps.

What matters most, in this writer’s reading of the evidence, is the transition from phase two to phase three. Clinic gains that never reach the kitchen or the bus stop tend not to hold. The rest of this article is built around that handover.

How movement retraining works: taking the brain off manual control

Most of the movement you do each day runs on automatic programs. You do not think about how to swing your arm when you walk; you think about where you are going. In functional movement symptoms, that automatic program has become unreliable, and the brain compensates by paying close, effortful attention to the limb. The paradox, well described in the physiotherapy consensus recommendation published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, is that this attention makes the movement worse.

That is why the clinical examination is so informative. Hoover’s sign, for example, is a test in which the weak leg pushes down normally when the person is asked to lift the other leg, because the movement happens automatically rather than on command. The same sign that confirms the diagnosis also points to the treatment: find ways to let movement happen without the spotlight on it.

Movement retraining uses several routes to do this. A physiotherapist may ask someone to walk while counting backward, to slide a foot along the floor instead of lifting it, to move to a rhythm, or to focus on a target across the room rather than on the leg. Each strategy shifts attention outward, so the older, automatic program has a chance to run. Over repeated practice, the goal is for the automatic pattern to become the default again.

Two features distinguish this from general strengthening. First, the muscles are not weak in the usual sense, so the aim is retraining control rather than building bulk. Second, the explanation is part of the treatment. The consensus recommendation is explicit that a patient who understands why a distraction strategy works is far more likely to use it when a therapist is not standing beside them.

Who movement retraining is usually for, and who is usually asked to wait

Physiotherapy-led retraining is typically offered to people whose diagnosis of functional movement disorder has been made positively, on the basis of clinical signs, rather than by exclusion alone. Common presentations include functional weakness, gait disturbance, tremor, dystonia (sustained abnormal posturing) and jerky movements. The NHS and Cleveland Clinic both describe physiotherapy as a mainstay for these motor symptoms.

Referral usually works best when three things are in place. The person has received and broadly accepts the explanation of the diagnosis. Their other symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, are manageable enough to allow participation. And there is a therapist available who is familiar with FND, because standard neurological rehabilitation approaches, such as heavy reliance on splints or mirror feedback, can occasionally reinforce the very attention patterns that need to change.

Some people are asked to wait, or to take a different first step:

• When the diagnosis is still uncertain, or new neurological symptoms have appeared that need investigation first.
• When someone strongly disagrees with the diagnosis; here a further conversation with the neurologist, or an education-focused session, often comes before hands-on retraining.
• When severe pain, an untreated mental health crisis, or a medical illness would make active practice unsafe or unproductive.
• When symptoms are so mild and brief that explanation and reassurance may be enough, with the door left open.

Being asked to wait is not a dismissal. In the consensus recommendation, readiness and shared understanding are treated as part of the treatment itself, not as gatekeeping. The treating team, usually a neurologist working with a physiotherapist and often a psychologist, makes the call on timing, and people can and do return to the pathway once the barrier has been addressed.

What the first movement retraining sessions look like

The opening session is usually more conversation than exercise, and that is deliberate. The therapist will want to hear how symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and what the person has already been told. They will also demonstrate the positive signs from the neurologist’s examination, because seeing your own leg push down normally during a distraction test is a more persuasive explanation than any leaflet.

Goal setting follows, and good goals are specific and ordinary: walking to the mailbox without a stick, standing at the stove for the length of a meal, carrying a mug across the room. Vague goals such as “getting better” give no way of noticing progress on a flat week.

The first movement work tends to be surprisingly simple. A person with a dragging leg might practice shifting weight from side to side while looking at a picture on the wall. Someone with a functional tremor might be asked to tap the other hand at a slow, steady rhythm and notice how the shaking changes. The therapist watches for the moment a movement briefly normalizes, then points it out, so the person learns to recognize what “automatic” feels like.

Expect a few practical rules to emerge early. Movements are kept short and stopped before fatigue takes over. Aids such as sticks or wheelchairs are not removed abruptly; instead, the team discusses whether and how their use might change as control improves. And home practice starts immediately, usually a minute or two of a single strategy several times a day rather than a long workout.

Most people leave the first sessions with two things: a clearer model of what is going wrong, and one or two strategies that have already produced a flicker of change. That flicker is the foundation for everything that follows.

The early weeks: building a small practice that actually repeats

Once the basic strategies are in hand, the work becomes repetition with variation. The therapist gradually raises the difficulty: a longer distance, a turn, an uneven surface, a second task layered on top such as carrying an object or holding a conversation. Each step is designed to challenge the new automatic pattern just enough that it strengthens, without tipping into the effortful, attention-heavy movement that brings symptoms back.

Program formats differ. The consensus recommendation on physiotherapy for functional motor disorders describes both intensive blocks delivered over a short period and less frequent outpatient sessions spread across several months, and it argues for treatment that is time-limited with a clear end point and a written self-management plan. Neither format is proven superior for everyone, and availability often decides.

Home practice during this stretch is where the FND recovery timeline is really written. Therapists commonly suggest anchoring practice to existing habits: two minutes of weight-shifting while the kettle boils, a rhythmic walk to the end of the hallway after brushing teeth. The point is frequency, not duration. Long, effortful sessions tend to fail for the same reason that attention makes symptoms worse.

A written or recorded plan helps. Many people find that a short video of themselves walking well, taken on a good day, is more motivating on a bad day than any encouragement. Diaries can help too, though the team may steer people away from tracking symptoms minute by minute, which can itself become an unhelpful form of monitoring.

Two honest observations about this phase. Progress rarely looks like a straight line; the more common pattern is a plateau followed by a step, then another plateau. And gains in the clinic frequently run ahead of gains at home. That gap is normal, and closing it is the job of the next phase.

From the clinic to the kitchen: turning strategies into daily routines

The most important handover in FND rehabilitation is the one from therapist to patient. In the clinic, someone else is cueing the distraction, adjusting the pace and spotting the good movement. At home, the person has to do all of that alone, while also getting dinner on the table.

Therapists approach this in stages. First, they rehearse specific real-world tasks in the clinic: opening a heavy door, stepping onto a curb, reaching into an overhead cupboard. Next, they ask the person to try the same task at home and report back, often with a phone video. Then they fade the cueing, so the person practices noticing for themselves when attention has drifted to the limb and redirecting it.

Everyday life offers built-in distraction that clinics cannot match, which is one reason improvement often accelerates once strategies leave the treatment room. Talking on the phone while walking the dog, singing along to the radio while unloading the dishwasher, focusing on a child’s story while climbing the stairs: each is a natural version of the dual-task practice that began in session one.

Routines also need a plan for the difficult moments. Common approaches include:

• A short “reset” strategy, such as a few seconds of rhythmic stepping in place, to use when a leg starts to drag.
• A pacing rule for activity, so good days do not become exhausting days that trigger a flare.
• A decision in advance about walking aids: when to use them, and when to leave them by the door.

Occupational therapists frequently join at this stage, focusing on work, driving assessment where relevant, and the fine motor demands of daily tasks. The NHS lists occupational therapy alongside physiotherapy and psychological therapy as part of a coordinated FND approach. The measure of success in this phase is not a perfect walk; it is a walk that no longer needs to be thought about.

Functional neurological disorder physiotherapy: what a typical program includes

People are often surprised that FND physiotherapy shares so little with the rehabilitation they may have seen for stroke or a sports injury. The table below summarizes the main formats described in the physiotherapy consensus recommendation and in NHS and Cleveland Clinic patient information, and what each is usually chosen for. None of these has been shown to be the single best option for all patients, and access varies widely.

Format	Typical shape	Often chosen when
Education-first session	One or two meetings focused on explanation, demonstration of positive signs, and a self-management leaflet	Symptoms are mild, or the person is still coming to terms with the diagnosis
Outpatient retraining	Regular sessions spread across weeks or months, with home practice between them	Symptoms are moderate and the person can travel and practice independently
Intensive block	Daily or near-daily sessions concentrated into a short period, followed by a maintenance plan	Symptoms are significant and a focused burst is practical
Inpatient multidisciplinary program	Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology delivered together over an admission	Symptoms are severe or complex, or outpatient care has not been enough

Whatever the format, certain ingredients tend to recur. Sessions begin with an explanation that is revisited, not delivered once. Strategies target automatic movement rather than strength. The therapist avoids techniques that draw attention to the affected limb, such as prolonged watching in a mirror. Aids and adaptations are reviewed rather than either removed abruptly or added without thought. And the program ends with a written plan the person can follow without the therapist.

What the evidence does and does not show deserves a plain statement. The consensus recommendation is based on expert agreement and the limited trials available at the time, and it calls for larger studies. Later trials have tested specialist physiotherapy against standard care, and the picture remains one of promising but not definitive evidence. That is a reason to try a well-designed program, not a reason to expect a guaranteed result.

How long does FND last? What the evidence actually shows

This is the question behind most searches for an FND recovery timeline, and the honest answer is that duration varies enormously between people. The Mayo Clinic states that functional neurological symptoms can last from days to years, and that some people improve quickly while others live with symptoms long term. The NHS describes FND as a condition that can improve, especially with the right treatment and understanding, while acknowledging that recovery is not universal.

Several patterns appear across studies, and they are best read as tendencies rather than rules. People who receive a clear, positive diagnosis early, and who find the explanation credible, tend to do better than those whose diagnosis was delayed or presented as “nothing wrong.” Shorter duration of symptoms before treatment is generally associated with a better outlook. Coexisting problems such as chronic pain, severe fatigue, depression or ongoing legal or benefits disputes tend to be linked with slower progress, not because they cause FND but because they compete for the same limited energy and attention.

It is also worth separating two different questions. “Will my symptoms go away completely?” is a question no clinician can answer with certainty. “Will I be able to do more of what matters to me?” is a question that rehabilitation is far better at addressing, and it is the one most treatment plans are built around.

Some people experience a marked improvement within their first block of treatment and then spend months consolidating it. Others improve slowly across a year or more. A minority see little change with physiotherapy alone and need a broader multidisciplinary approach. None of these paths is a failure of effort. If a pattern must be named, it is this: improvement is common, complete resolution is possible but not guaranteed, and relapses can happen even after long stable periods. Planning for all three outcomes is realistic, not pessimistic.

Why setbacks belong in every FND recovery timeline

Ask anyone who has been through FND rehabilitation about their worst week and they will usually describe a relapse that arrived just after things had started going well. A busy weekend, a viral illness, a stressful phone call, a night of poor sleep: any of these can bring back a limp or a tremor that had been quiet for weeks. The Cleveland Clinic and NHS both describe symptoms that fluctuate and flare, and clinicians who work with FND treat setbacks as an expected feature, not a sign that treatment has failed.

Understanding why helps. The new automatic movement pattern is real but still fragile, and anything that drains attention, increases arousal or exhausts the body makes it easier for the older, disordered pattern to reassert itself. This is the same mechanism that made symptoms worse under scrutiny on day one. The difference now is that the person has tools.

A practical setback plan, often written down with the therapist, tends to include a few elements. The first is a reminder of what a flare is and is not: it is the known condition behaving in a known way, and it does not mean new damage. The second is a return to the simplest, earliest strategies, the weight shift or the rhythm, rather than trying to push through with effort. The third is a deliberate reduction in demands for a few days, followed by a gradual return to the previous level of activity.

Setbacks also carry information. Many people notice over time that their flares cluster around particular triggers, and that knowledge feeds directly into the pacing and sleep routines described later. A relapse that is understood and managed in a week is, in a real sense, evidence of progress compared with the one that first brought someone to clinic.

The thing to hold on to is that skills learned in retraining are not lost during a flare. They are temporarily harder to reach. That is a very different problem from starting over.

Fatigue, pain and sleep: the passengers on the journey

Movement symptoms rarely travel alone. The NHS lists fatigue, chronic pain, poor sleep, problems with memory and concentration, and functional seizures among the difficulties that commonly accompany FND. Any rehabilitation plan that ignores these tends to stall, because a person cannot practice attention-shifting strategies while running on four hours of sleep and constant pain.

Fatigue in FND is often described as disproportionate to activity, and the usual response, doing as much as possible on good days and collapsing on bad ones, tends to entrench it. Pacing, meaning a planned and roughly even level of activity across the week, is the standard alternative. It feels counterintuitive to hold back on a day when the leg is working, but the therapist’s logic is that the leg is more likely to keep working if the day does not end in exhaustion.

Pain is treated on its own terms, often with input from a pain team, and clinicians will usually ask about it early because it competes so directly for attention. Where medicines are considered for pain or sleep, the decision sits with the prescriber, and it is worth knowing that no medicine has been shown to treat the movement symptoms of FND directly.

Sleep deserves its own attention. Regular sleep and wake times, daylight exposure, and limiting screens and caffeine late in the day are the mainstream recommendations, and they matter more for FND than for many conditions because sleep loss so reliably worsens symptoms.

Functional seizures, sometimes called dissociative seizures, are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but arise from the same disordered network function as other FND symptoms rather than from abnormal electrical activity. They are not treated with physiotherapy, and people who experience them alongside movement symptoms are usually offered psychological therapy as the main approach. Their presence does not change the principles of movement retraining, but it does make coordination between team members more important.

Where psychological therapy and medication fit into FND treatment

A frequent worry, especially from people whose earlier appointments left them feeling disbelieved, is that being offered psychological therapy means someone thinks the symptoms are imagined. That is not what the referral means. The NHS, Mayo Clinic and NIH all describe FND as a genuine neurological condition, and they also describe psychological therapy as one of its core treatments, alongside physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, a structured talking therapy that examines the links between thoughts, feelings, body sensations and behavior, is the most studied approach. For movement symptoms it tends to work in parallel with physiotherapy: helping someone notice the moment their attention locks onto a limb, manage the anxiety that a flare produces, and stay with pacing when every instinct says to push. For functional seizures it is usually the primary treatment. Trauma-focused therapy may be offered where past events are relevant, but the Mayo Clinic is clear that many people with FND have no history of trauma, and it is not a requirement for the diagnosis.

Medication plays a supporting role at most. There is no medicine that has been shown to correct the movement symptoms of FND. Where a prescriber suggests one, it is usually aimed at a coexisting problem: depression, anxiety, pain or sleep. Antidepressants, for example, act on brain chemical signaling systems and typically take several weeks to have their full effect on mood, a timeline the prescriber will discuss. People sometimes arrive at rehabilitation on medicines started long ago for a diagnosis that has since changed, and reviewing them is a reasonable topic for the treating team.

Two cautions apply. No medicine should be started, stopped or altered because of anything read here; those decisions belong to the prescribing clinician. And people with FND are often unusually sensitive to side effects, which is another reason the team tends to keep the medicine list short and purposeful.

What people often get wrong about FND

Misunderstandings about FND are not only common among the public; they shaped medical training for decades, and some still echo in clinics. Clearing them up is part of treatment, so it is worth doing here.

“It is all in your head.” The symptoms are produced by the brain, which is true of every neurological symptom. What distinguishes FND is disordered function of brain networks rather than structural damage. The NIH describes it as a real and common neurological condition, and brain imaging research shows differences in how networks involved in movement, attention and emotion interact.

“The scans were normal, so nothing is wrong.” Normal scans are expected in FND and do not mean the symptoms are absent or exaggerated. The diagnosis rests on positive clinical signs, not on empty test results.

“People with FND are faking.” Feigning is a different thing entirely and is not what clinicians mean by functional. The signs used to diagnose FND, such as Hoover’s sign, demonstrate that the movement system works when the person is not aware of testing it; that is evidence of an involuntary problem, not a deliberate one.

“It must be caused by trauma or stress.” Stress and past trauma are risk factors for some people, but the Mayo Clinic notes that many people with FND have neither. Physical events such as injury, illness or surgery are common triggers.

“Rest until it passes.” Prolonged rest tends to entrench symptoms and add deconditioning. Graded, attention-aware activity is the approach the evidence supports.

“Once it goes, it is gone for good.” Relapses can occur, and the skills from rehabilitation remain useful. Knowing this in advance blunts the fear a flare can produce.

If one correction matters most, it is the first. A person who believes their symptoms are dismissed cannot engage in retraining. A person who understands the mechanism can start.

Questions to ask your care team about FND rehabilitation

The best appointments are the ones people arrive at with questions written down, because FND consultations cover unfamiliar ground and it is easy to leave with a nod and a fog. The following questions are drawn from the topics that come up most often in patient information from the NHS, Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, and from the priorities set out in the physiotherapy consensus recommendation.

• Which signs on my examination led to the diagnosis, and can you show them to me?
• Have other conditions that could explain my symptoms been considered and ruled out, and would any new symptom change that?
• Which of my symptoms are you expecting physiotherapy to help with, and which need a different approach?
• What does the program look like in practice: how often are sessions, how long is the program, and what happens when it ends?
• What should I be practicing at home between sessions, and how will I know if I am doing it in a way that helps?
• Should I keep using my walking aid, and if the plan is to reduce it, how will we do that safely?
• What is our plan for a flare, and who do I contact if one lasts longer than expected?
• Which of my medicines are for FND-related problems, and are any due for review?
• Is psychological therapy part of my plan, and what would it focus on?
• Who is coordinating my care across neurology, therapy and my primary care clinician?

Some questions are better asked of yourself before the appointment. What are the three activities that matter most to get back? What made the symptoms worse last month? What has already helped, even briefly? Bringing these answers turns the first session from an assessment into a plan.

Finally, ask for things in writing. A one-page summary of the diagnosis, the strategies and the setback plan is worth more than a stack of general leaflets, and most FND-experienced therapists will provide one.

When to call your doctor

FND is diagnosed on positive signs, and once made by a specialist it is a stable diagnosis for most people. It does not, however, protect anyone from developing a second condition, and it should never become a reason to ignore a new problem. The rule most neurologists give is simple: a symptom that is new, different in character, or arriving in a new pattern deserves a fresh assessment, even if it later turns out to be part of the FND.

Seek emergency care immediately for any of the following, because they can indicate stroke or another acute emergency and cannot be assumed to be functional:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, particularly on one side, that has come on in a way unlike your usual symptoms.
• Sudden difficulty speaking, understanding speech, or a drooping face.
• A sudden severe headache unlike any before, or a headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion or a new rash.
• A seizure lasting longer than usual, repeated seizures without recovery in between, or any seizure with injury or breathing difficulty.
• Sudden loss of vision, or new double vision.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control together with new leg weakness or numbness in the saddle area.

Contact your doctor promptly, without waiting for the next scheduled review, if symptoms are steadily worsening over days rather than fluctuating, if you develop new symptoms that your team has not described to you, if pain or sleep problems have become unmanageable, if you notice a marked drop in mood or thoughts of harming yourself, or if a medicine seems to be causing side effects.

Your rehabilitation team is the right contact for a flare that fits your usual pattern but is lasting longer than your setback plan anticipated. They can help you distinguish a rough patch from something that needs a different response, and they will involve your neurologist or primary care clinician if needed. Every decision about investigation and treatment rests with that team.

Frequently asked questions

What is a realistic FND recovery timeline?

A realistic FND recovery timeline is a sequence of phases, not a set number of weeks. People usually move from understanding the diagnosis, through guided retraining, into home practice and then long-term self-management, at very different speeds. The Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms can last from days to years, and clinicians avoid predicting a specific end point for any individual.

How long does FND last if it is treated?

It varies widely, and treatment does not guarantee resolution. Some people improve substantially during a first course of physiotherapy and consolidate over months; others improve slowly over a year or longer; some need broader multidisciplinary care. Earlier diagnosis, acceptance of the explanation and fewer coexisting problems such as chronic pain are generally associated with a better outlook, according to patient information from the NHS and Mayo Clinic.

What does FND movement retraining involve in the first session?

The first session is mostly explanation and goal setting. The therapist reviews how symptoms began, demonstrates the positive signs that confirmed the diagnosis, and agrees specific everyday goals. Early practice is simple, such as shifting weight while looking at a target, or tapping a rhythm to change a tremor. People usually leave with one or two strategies and a brief home practice plan.

Are FND rehabilitation exercises different from ordinary physiotherapy?

Yes. FND rehabilitation exercises target automatic movement and attention rather than strength or flexibility, because the muscles are not weak in the usual sense. Therapists use distraction, rhythm and dual tasks, keep practice short and frequent, and avoid techniques such as prolonged mirror feedback that draw attention to the affected limb. Explaining why each strategy works is treated as part of the exercise.

Can I do functional neurological disorder physiotherapy at home?

Home practice is central, but it is designed with a therapist who knows FND. Once strategies are learned, most of the real retraining happens in daily tasks such as climbing stairs while talking or walking to music. Written or video plans help. Trying to invent a home program without guidance risks reinforcing the effortful, attention-heavy movement that makes symptoms worse.

Why do my symptoms improve when I am distracted?

Because functional movement symptoms are driven partly by attention. When you focus on the affected limb, the brain uses an effortful, unreliable route to move it; when attention is elsewhere, older automatic programs can run. This is the same principle behind Hoover’s sign, which shows normal leg strength during an automatic movement, and it is why distraction is used deliberately in retraining.

Does a relapse mean the treatment has failed?

No. Flares triggered by illness, poor sleep, stress or overexertion are expected in FND and are described in NHS and Cleveland Clinic information as part of the condition’s fluctuating pattern. Skills from rehabilitation are not lost during a relapse, only harder to access. Most teams provide a written setback plan that returns to the simplest strategies and reduces demands for a few days.

Do I need psychological therapy if my symptoms are physical?

Often it helps, and it does not mean the symptoms are imagined. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used alongside physiotherapy to manage the anxiety a flare produces, support pacing and help people notice when attention locks onto a limb. For functional seizures it is usually the main treatment. The team will discuss whether it fits your plan, and many people with FND have no history of trauma.

Is there a medicine that treats FND?

No medicine has been shown to treat the movement symptoms of FND directly. Where a prescriber suggests one, it is usually for a coexisting problem such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain or poor sleep. Antidepressants, for instance, act on brain chemical signaling and typically take weeks to reach full effect on mood. Any decision about starting, stopping or changing a medicine belongs to the prescribing clinician.

Should I keep using my walking stick or wheelchair during rehabilitation?

Discuss it with your therapist rather than deciding alone. Aids are not usually removed abruptly, because a fall sets recovery back; instead, the team reviews when and where an aid is needed and plans any reduction gradually as control improves. Some people keep an aid for long distances or bad days while walking unaided at home, and that flexible approach is common.

References

• NIH NINDS: Functional Neurologic Disorder
• PubMed: Physiotherapy for functional motor disorders: a consensus recommendation

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.