Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes or cancer. It reduces your risk of stroke, dementia, osteoporosis, and obesity. Exercise also helps with your mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Despite all of these benefits, most Americans need more. According to the Department of Health, 80% of Americans don't meet the recommendations for physical activity. This is impacting our health. About half of American adults have a preventable chronic disease. The good news is that exercise positively impacts seven of the ten most common ones. That leads to the question:
Are you Getting Enough Activity?
Here are the current guidelines:
- Preschool-aged children (ages 3 - 5) at least 3 hours of physical activity daily
- Children and adolescents (ages 6 - 17) at least 60 minutes of activity a day
- Adults 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly and muscle-strengthening activities on at least two days
- Older adults (ages 65 and older) Same as the adults above with additional components added, such as balance training
If you're falling short on physical activity, you may not think of your PT as someone who can help, but you should!
How Can Physical Therapists Help?
Physical therapists (PT) are your partners in movements. They have extensive training in anatomy, physiology, and movement science. They can get anybody moving!
Here are some great times to choose a PT to help with your fitness:
- You're recovering from an injury or surgery.
- You have pain or limitations that affect your movement.
- You have a chronic condition that affects your fitness, like arthritis.
- You need help improving your balance or preventing falls.
- You want a personalized program that addresses specific weaknesses or imbalances.
Your PT can work with your physicians and medical team to ensure safe workouts. As you progress, they can also work with professionals like strength coaches or personal trainers to take your fitness to the next level.
With your PT's guidance, you can address limitations, prevent injuries, and design a personalized program that keeps you motivated and moving towards a healthier you.
To prioritize your health and take a step towards being more active, call your local physical therapist to create a personalized exercise plan that fits your needs and current fitness level. If you are local in Virginia to the Falls Church, Arlington, or Annandale region, give us a call to set up your appointment!
If you would like to read more about how exercise can impact your brain function, we have a blog on that!
About The Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association
Founded in 1956, the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association champions the success of physical therapist-owned businesses. Our members are leaders and innovators in the healthcare system. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students nationwide. For more information, please visit www.ppsapta.org.
References
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Building motivation and sustainability into the prescription and recommendations for physical activity and exercise therapy: The evidence, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 25:5-6, 424-441, DOI: 10.1080/09593980902835344
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The physical therapist’s role in physical activity promotion. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;43:99-101. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/2/99.citation-tools
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Improving Adherence to Exercise: Do People With Knee Osteoarthritis and Physical Therapists Agree on the Behavioral Approaches Likely to Succeed? Arthritis Care Res, 70: 388-397. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23297
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Articles/Content:
Author
Alana Hamilton
Alana Hamilton is a physical therapist at Advantage Physical Therapy in Falls Church, Virginia. She is a proud Hokie from Virginia Tech with a major in Biology and a minor in psychology and sociology. Following graduation, she immediately got her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Radford University. She is an avid fan of Pilates, running, and hiking. On the weekends, she can be found hanging out with her family and baby as well as doing Spartan races with her old physical therapy classmates and friends. She is a big believer that during rehabilitation, "Motion is the Lotion" and that staying active is key to remaining healthy.
