Neuromuscular Disease · Movement · Education
Clinical expertise meets exercise science. Condition-specific movement education for people living with neuromuscular disease — and the families, therapists, and clinicians who support them.
Led by a neurologist & neuromuscular specialist with 8+ years of dedicated clinical practice.
Every movement vetted through both athletic training and neuromuscular pathophysiology.
MG is not CMT. CMT is not MD. We go condition by condition.
Our Mission
A neuromuscular neurologist and a certified athletic trainer — married, practicing, and united by a single purpose: helping people with NMD understand their bodies and move with confidence, safety, and intention.
Whether you're a patient managing early-stage weakness, a family member learning how to support your loved one's movement, a physical therapist seeking condition-specific protocols, or a clinician wanting accessible resources for your patients — this is built for you.
Every recommendation is rooted in real neuromuscular pathophysiology.
We meet patients, families, and caregivers where they are — with warmth and practicality.
No generic programs. ALS is not SMA. We go condition by condition.
Extending and preserving function, independence, and daily capability.
The Team
Married professionals who bring together neuromuscular neurology and athletic training — two disciplines that rarely speak to each other, finally in the same room.
Tyler is a Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer practicing in the high school setting with Gritman Medical Center in Moscow, Idaho. His undergraduate foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology gives him a rare ability to bridge the gap between cellular science and practical movement programming — making him uniquely qualified to translate complex neuromuscular pathophysiology into exercise protocols that actually work.
His training toolkit includes kettlebells, barbells, steel maces, steel clubs, and resistance bands — tools with powerful clinical applications in stability, coordination, and neuromuscular programming.
Dr. Said-Said is a board certified neurologist and neuromuscular specialist, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology (FAAN) — one of the field's most prestigious distinctions. With over eight years of dedicated clinical practice, her patient population includes people living with ALS, muscular dystrophies, myasthenia gravis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, inflammatory myopathies, and peripheral neuropathies.
Her expertise in EMG/NCS means she understands not just what is wrong with the nerve or muscle, but exactly how that manifests in movement — making her the ideal clinical anchor for exercise programming in this population.
Conditions We Cover
Each neuromuscular diagnosis carries its own exercise profile, safety considerations, and opportunity for functional preservation. We go condition by condition — with the clinical depth these diagnoses deserve.
Exercise timing, fatigue management, and safe strengthening strategies that respect the fluctuating nature of MG and the chemistry of the junction.
Core NMDAnkle stability, proprioception training, and functional strength for daily life with peripheral neuropathy — built around the delayed cost of nerve-mediated fatigue.
Core NMDConcentric-dominant programming that respects eccentric risk, cardiac involvement, and the structural membrane problem at the heart of dystrophinopathy.
Core NMDPreserving function and managing fatigue through carefully progressed movement protocols as the disease evolves — where slowing decline is success.
Core NMDFunctional movement goals, respiratory support exercises, and adaptations for varied disease stages — with careful gravity-load consideration.
Core NMDAnti-inflammatory lifestyle principles and safe activity during both active disease and remission phases — with flare vs. remission protocols.
Core NMDBalance, gait, and sensory retraining with careful monitoring of pain and nerve hypersensitivity — fall prevention as the highest programming priority.
Core NMDWe are always growing our library. Submit a condition request and we'll prioritize accordingly.
Submit a Request →Our Approach
These are the foundations every program, essay, and recommendation is built upon.
Overwork weakness is a real concern in NMD. Every protocol is designed to challenge without exceeding safe thresholds.
Programs built around what matters: preserving the ability to stand, walk, grip, carry, and move through your day with dignity.
Disease changes. Your exercise program should too. We teach you how to adapt movements over time.
Movement is often a team effort. We include guidance for family members, caregivers, and therapists.
Programs & Products
Generic fitness programs fail people with NMD. These programs are built condition by condition — with the clinical precision your diagnosis deserves.
Your diagnosis is not your ceiling. Movement, done right, is one of the most powerful tools you have.
— Dr. Sarita Said-Said, MD, FAAN & Tyler Volkmann, ATC, LAT, MS
Safety Essentials
Each condition has its own safety profile. Select your diagnosis to read the essential guidance before starting any exercise program.
2:1 rest-to-work ratio: After every set, rest at least twice as long as the effort lasted.
Avoid heat and humidity: Heat significantly worsens MG symptoms. Exercise in a cool, air-conditioned environment.
Stop immediately if you experience: double vision, drooping eyelid, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, or slurred speech — contact your neurologist.
Always consult your neurologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
Always wear appropriate footwear. Peripheral nerve damage means your feet may not reliably feel pain, heat, or pressure. Never exercise barefoot.
Fall prevention is paramount. Have a wall, chair, or stable surface within arm's reach during any standing exercise.
Inspect your feet after every session for blisters, pressure points, redness, or small cuts.
Always consult your neurologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
DOMS is a red flag, not a rite of passage. If your urine appears dark or tea-colored after exercise, contact your physician immediately.
Cardiac monitoring required: DMD, Becker, LGMD R9, and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 all carry significant cardiac risk. Know your status before exercising.
Always consult your neurologist and cardiologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
The 30-Minute Rule: If you feel noticeably weaker than your baseline in the 30 minutes following exercise, the session was too intense. Reduce for next time.
No Valsalva: Avoid breath-holding during any movement. Exhale through the effort.
Always consult your neurologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
Exercise must match your SMA type and functional stage. SMA Types I–IV have dramatically different functional profiles. Always choose the version that matches your current function.
Gravity-reduced movement is legitimate: Exercises in water, in a sling, or on a low-friction surface are valuable for SMA patients — not a compromise.
Always consult your neurologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
Remission is your green light. During remission, strengthening exercise is not only safe but actively beneficial.
Monitor for dysphagia and respiratory symptoms. Contact your physician if you notice worsening difficulty swallowing or breathlessness with exercise.
Always consult your neurologist or rheumatologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
Fall prevention is your highest priority. Peripheral neuropathy disrupts proprioception. Always have a sturdy support surface within arm's reach.
Pain monitoring: If you experience significant worsening of burning, tingling, or shooting pain, reduce intensity and consult your physician.
Always consult your neurologist before beginning or changing your exercise program.
For Clinicians
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and neurology nurses — condition-specific protocols and clinical rationale documents you can trust and use with your patients.
Co-developed by a board-certified neuromuscular neurologist and a certified athletic trainer. The resources you wish existed in clinic.
Join the Clinician WaitlistCo-developed by Dr. Said-Said, MD and Tyler Volkmann, ATC, LAT, MS.
Crisis distinction, medication timing, MGFA classification
Distal assessment, fall risk, AFO guidance
Eccentric avoidance, cardiac screening, subtype guidance
Functional staging, respiratory monitoring, overwork thresholds
Recommended Tools
Tools selected for safety, accessibility, and clinical value in NMD. No sponsorships shape our clinical content.
Graduated resistance, gentle on joints. Go-to for MG and MD upper body work.
Tyler's PickSix resistance grades. Essential for grip and fine motor work in ALS, MD, CMT, and peripheral neuropathy.
Tyler's PickAdds upper-body support and gait stability for CMT, SMA, and peripheral neuropathy.
Tyler's PickWide-toe-box, depth shoes that accommodate ankle-foot orthotics — critical for CMT safety.
Dr. Said-Said's PickWater-filled balance device for progressive proprioception training. Seated and standing adaptable.
Tyler's PickImproves grip sensation and reduces hand fatigue — helpful for sensory neuropathy or fine motor loss.
Dr. Said-Said's PickOffset-weight tools that challenge rotational stability and grip. Used selectively for higher-function patients.
Tyler's PickClip-on SpO2 monitor — essential for ALS, MD, and SMA patients exercising at home.
Safety EssentialDisclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we genuinely use and believe in. Affiliate relationships never influence our clinical content.
Podcast
Deep-dive conversations on exercise science, neuromuscular pathophysiology, and living well with NMD. Coming soon.
The NMA podcast is in development. Subscribe to be notified when the first episode drops.
Stay Updated
New condition essays, exercise guides, and early access to NMA programs. No spam — just content the NMD community actually needs.
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: The content produced by The Neuromuscular Athlete is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice for individual patients. Tyler Volkmann, ATC, LAT, MS and Dr. Sarita Said-Said, MD produce content in their capacity as public health educators. Always consult your neurologist or treating healthcare team before beginning any exercise program.