The CDC and the American Board of Sports Medicine recommend 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Moderate physical activity can be classified as walking at a 4-mph pace, gardening, cycling, etc. Obviously taking it up a notch to running, swimming, or rowing is more than acceptable. The recommendations made are the minimums. Think of them as a starting point if you currently are not exercising at all. The interesting thing is that research shows that 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week can reduce overall mortality rate by 7%, while doubling it to 300 minutes per week can reduce your mortality rate by 14%! So bottom line, if you move more, you will live longer.
Exercise has been shown to improve mental state, cognitive capacity, and overall health. It helps lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and provides antioxidant capabilities. I know many times I have felt substantially better if I have been able to get a workout or run into my daily routine. We are not meant to be sedentary and as I have written on in other blogs, it leads to more structural degeneration, especially in our spine. So essentially, if you move more, your quality of live will be better.
I know that many of you reading this are thinking, “but what if it hurts to move?” If you have pain that limits you from achieving this goal, then please do not spend another moment hesitating to seek care!
The beauty of receiving care at Function First Spine and Sport is that you will be encouraged to keep moving and be guided towards movements that will help you, opposed to hurt you. Dr. Cindy has extensive training and experience with using functional movement tests to check for dysfunction in movement patterns. Common tests performed are the squat, lunge, push up, plank, and some overhead movement variations. She has performed these movement screens at gyms and for sports teams for many years.
By watching patients perform these specific movement tests, it can often be determined where the patient needs stability or mobility. Dr. Cindy can determine what movement pattern broke down, which led to the pain you are experiencing. A patient specific treatment program of exercises is then given to help address these movement dysfunctions. This in the long run will guide the patient back to full pain free movement.
Contact us if you are looking for a more comprehensive approach to your care!
Have a beautiful, active day,
Dr. Cindy