As many of you who have, or are currently participating in a physical therapy program know, exercise is a main component of the rehab process. In fact, one of the many reasons why you may be in physical therapy is because of the need to build strength in some of your weaker muscles. And in most cases, this will eventually help cure the pain that ails you. However. it is an all too common truth that once a patient becomes discharged, he or she have a tendency to cut down on or even stop completely with the exercises that were prescribed to them by the physical therapist because I’m not in pain anymore and therefore I do not feel the need to perform the exercises. Unfortunately. it is all too common that the same people that have this rrundset. end up becoming a patient of ours again for the same ailment that they had in the first place. Now, that’s not to say that there aren’t any other underlying problems going on with these ailments, but quite often, it happens because they ddn’t keep up with their exercises and although things felt better, they still weren’t completely healed yet. Exercise is important for many reasons, even more so than just to rehabilitate your injuries. It has health benefits that can help you live pain free, help you become more functional as you age. live healther and decrease your medical bilk! Below I will list a variety of reasons why you NEED to be exercising every single day, whether you are in a physical therapy program or not! Exercise Minimizes the Chances of a Recurring Injury Its important to keep every muscle in your body performing at optimum strength levels. When muscles become weak, other muscles are forced to compensate for those weak muscles, this causes muscular dysfunction. One can I rve with muscular dysfunction for a while before noticing any problems, and then nine times out of ten it will show up in the form of pain. If we are able to keep each of our muscles strong, especially the muscles that surround our major joints. we are much less likely to reach the point where muscular dysfunction turns to pain and weakness. and you will be able to move forward through your life pain free and happy Improves Your Overall Functionality Lets face a. we are all getting older. And as we age. so do our muscles. In fait studies have shown that the older you get. the quicker your muscles diminish and atrophy. And if you are skipping out on exercise, your muscles van atrophy even quicker than your exercising counterparts. However, not just any type of exercise is going to help you regain your muscular strength and functionality. You need to start taking on some strength training. In fact. there are hundreds Of studies that have been performed that link functional strength training with improved abilities to perform normal actrvities of daily Imng. Exercise Wards Off Disease In todays day and age. obesity, and obesity related diseases such as Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease are running rampant in our country. Thq in fact, is due to two main reasons: Lack of exercise in general. and lack of knowledge on how to consume a proper diet. Due to the fact that the likelihood of contracting one of these potentially deadly diseases increases as you age. it is more important now than ever to get started on a proper diet and exercise program. Not only can this diminish your chances of getting sick, it will help to keep your medical Nis much lower than they would be if you did have diabetes. cardiovascular disease or cancer. And dont worry, its never too late to start, it is possible with some of these diseases that you may be able to lessen, or maybe even completely get nd of the disease! You’re on the Right Path, Keep Going So you’ve already decided to start on the path of feeling better. You made it to physical therapy. you’re working on feeling better and creating better health amongst your muscles and your joints. And if you are one of the 90% of people who are feeling better because of your physical therapy, why stop? Why not continue on the path of good health? Sure your injunes might feel better, but you can do so much more with exercise! Exercise gives you energy, it gives you the ability to perform normal, everyday actmnes with greater ease. and it gives you the ability to potentially get rid of most if not all of your medications! Don’t stop yourself short on your journey to better health, keep it going! Dal you know that we have a fitness and wellness program that is designed to help you continue on your health journey? Give us a call today or leam more about our fitness at wellness programs here! • Mike Zimmer, Wellness and Fitness Director a Comprehensive Physical Therapy Center
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