One thing is for sure, Isaac Newton had it right when he discovered the Law of Inertia. You know, a body at rest stays at rest, and a body in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an outside force? That’s Newton’s law of inertia, and it can most definitely be applied to your physical activity!
Long story short, if we already have a habit of being physically active on a regular basis, we will continue to be active. If we don’t, developing that habit will take more and more work the older we get.
If you’re struggling to lead a healthy, active lifestyle, know that this isn’t something you have to get into on your own! Fortunately, a physical therapist can show you how to start a new fitness routine or keep you active for years to come.
Call our office today to find out if physical therapy is right for you. In the meantime, these tips can help you stay healthy and active, even as you age.
1. Get up and stretch more often
The technological age has made our lives and our work more sedentary. Streaming services, on-demand shopping and grocery delivery have made modern life more convenient, but such advances have also made it less likely we will stand and move throughout the course of the day. This is why taking periodic breaks from sitting to get up and stretch. Movement can improve your posture as well as your overall fitness.
Have you ever sat on the couch for hours, totally vegging out, and then realized 5 hours has gone by? This is the exact kind of habit that will come back to haunt you as you get older. It might seem harmless when you’re younger and your body is in better working condition, but this lack of movement can cause serious health complications later in life!
Don’t know where to start? Even though most people associate physical therapy with post-surgical recovery, a physical therapist can craft a stretching and exercise routine that is right for your current abilities and fitness goals.
2. Schedule exercise into your daily routine
You schedule time to hang out with friends, family and professionals, so why aren’t you scheduling time to work on yourself? We aren’t insisting you start running a mile every day, however, it is vital that we schedule exercise into our daily routine. Just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week can help you control your weight, improve your cardiovascular health and reduce the likelihood of stroke. Try out an activity such as yoga and see how feel after a few weeks!
Adding strength training to your routine also lowers your risk for developing osteoporosis. However, if you have not had a consistent fitness routine up to this point in your life, you are also more likely to use poor form or develop overuse injuries. Again, a physical therapist can create a scaled exercise plan that helps you develop the form and strength you will need to reap the health benefits of consistent exercise, without injury.
3. Get those ancient aches and pains addressed ASAP
One of the biggest hurdles people face when it comes to staying active are old injuries that flare up. Maybe you were injured playing soccer in high school or developed a back problem at work 20 years ago. Whatever the problem might be, if it’s still causing you pain today, keeping you from exercising regularly, stretching often or even trying to get back into shape, it’s an issue!
Fortunately, surgery is not the only answer for treating these problems. Physical therapy may be the answer to getting rid of those aches and pains once and for all. A physical therapist is an expert in the way the body moves. Not only can they diagnose problems with the way you walk, run, lift, bend, or stretch, they can prescribe specific exercises to target problem areas.
If you are experiencing back pain when you lift weights, a physical therapist can help correct your form, strengthen stabilizing core muscles, stretch tight tendons and ligaments, and relieve pain as it flares up. The same goes for any old injury that you are nursing as you pursue your activity goals.
Staying physically active now will benefit you in the long run…
It doesn’t matter whether you are already physically active, or want to become more active in the name of better health. A physical therapist can be the missing link you’re searching for that helps you reach your full potential. Call our clinic today to learn more about physical therapy, and to schedule an appointment with us today.
