Adding Exercise to Your Life can be Difficult – PT Can Help
According to PT in Motion News, 80 percent of Americans aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Finding the time or the motivation to exercise is difficult for many people. The truth, however, is that getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.
The key is to find a fun activity that you enjoy doing and that also fits your current fitness level. If you spend your days hobbling painfully from your bed to your reclining chair and back, the notion of pursuing any kind of vigorous activity may be the furthest thing from your mind.
How can physical therapy help me exercise?
Our physical therapists meet you right where you are to create an individualized plan for your needs and goals. By listening to your concerns and with a thorough assessment we evaluate your health and prescribe the right activities and make recommendations on how you can realistically improve your activity and start enjoying a healthier life.
Your assessment might also reveal some areas of your body that need special attention to help you get moving safely and without pain. Physical therapy can enhance the benefits of your activities with other safe, helpful modalities such as massage and joint mobilization, functional movement training, stretching, cold and heat treatments, dry needling, and corrective exercises.
These therapies can promote tissue repair, ease inflammation, reduce pain, and increase your ability to keep moving and have a great time.
Not sure how to get started moving? Looking for something low-pressure and enjoyable? The following are five fun activities that you can do on your own and can be adapted to fit almost any fitness level. You can pursue any or all of these activities at your leisure, or you can ask your physical therapist about integrating them into a full-scale physical therapy program:
1. Dancing
You can take lessons or join a group that gets together to dance on a regular basis. If you don’t want to make the commitment or spend the money taking classes, dancing on your own while listening to your favorite music or even YouTube dance lessons is a fantastic way to get moving and burn calories. Depending on your weight and how strenuously you’re able to dance, you’ll be able to burn approximately 200 to 300 calories during half an hour of dancing.
2. Swimming
Swimming is low impact, easy on the joints, and provides a good cardio workout. The best way to get started is to sign up for a class at your local fitness club or search for the open swim schedules at your local community or school pools. Whether you’re swimming laps, floating, or power walking in the water, swimming is a fun yet healthy activity. If you have access to a private pool, for both accountability and safety reasons, make sure to swim with a partner.
3. Nature Walking
Science has proven the mental health benefits of walking in the great outdoors. Find a nearby trail system or even a sidewalk in a beautiful neighborhood and just get out there! The cardiovascular and mental health benefits, the accessibility, and the low cost (just a good pair of shoes is all you need) make this an easy choice for getting more activity in your day. Walking is a relatively low-impact exercise and easy to modify based on your fitness level.
4. Gardening
Whether you live in the country or an urban area, there are opportunities to enjoy gardening. Container gardening is an easy way to grow flowers and vegetables almost anywhere. Four or five medium-sized containers on the patio are enough to grow several items. Planting, hoeing with a hand spade, watering, and regularly tending your plants can provide a moderate level of activity.
5. Physical therapy!
When you need help getting active again, physical therapy is the perfect solution. Individualized care from a team of people who love their job and love helping people just like YOU. Believe it or not, most people feel their physical therapy sessions are a highlight of their day and make getting moving more fun.
Whether you’re currently moving with assistance or you’re a serious athlete, physical therapy can help you increase your fitness level, reduce your chance of injury, and eliminate pain from sore muscles. A physical therapist can also teach you the proper techniques for warming up before your chosen activity and the best post-workout stretches for an effective cooldown.
Looking for more assistance? Contact us!
A physical therapy program can increase your fitness level and help you make the most of your favorite activities.
Looking to get moving? Schedule a free assessment today!