According to a recent study, lower back pain affects over 540 million people year-round and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Chances are you…
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Exercise is medicine!
Exercise is something almost everyone can do and has been proven to be great for our overall health. There are many medicinal benefits of exercise that most people do not know. Here are 4 ways exercise is medicine:
- Heart health: Exercise gets our heart pumping! It is also proven that exercise over time helps to decrease blood pressure. This makes monitored exercise very beneficial to people with hypertension or high blood pressure. Exercise is medicine for our hearts!
- Pain relief: When we exercise, our muscles are strong, and our joints are moving the way they should. When our muscles are too weak and are joints are stiff, that is when we start to feel pain. Exercise helps to restore movement in our muscles and joints to reduce pain. Exercise is a natural pain killer!
- Endorphins/Depression: During exercise, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals help to reduce pain and improves our overall mood. Exercise is a good and safe release for anger or sadness and helps us to feel better about ourselves. These reasons are why exercise is medicine for depression and other psychological disorders.
- Weight management: Food is turned into energy for our bodies. When we do not use that excess energy, food is then stored in our bodies as fat. Exercise burns excess fat tissues and helps with weight loss and control. Exercise is medicine for diseases caused by obesity and being overweight.
Exercise is highly beneficial for us all. Contact our physical therapists here at Paramount Rehabilitation and Fitness for a customized exercise program to fit your needs. Remember: Exercise is Medicine and Health is Wealth!
Elviann Pinder RPT, PT, KTP,NASM PES
Registered Physical Therapist
What is Aquatic Therapy? Is it right for you?
For years people have known that exercise in the water is beneficial to improving joint and back pain. If you are having joint or back pain Aquatic Therapy may be right for you. In this post you will find more information on what Aquatic Therapy is and if it is right for you.
Aquatic Therapy refers to exercises and treatments performed in a pool for the relief of pain, fitness or overall relaxation. Living in Nassau Bahamas; I have always been amazed of the beautiful crystal water my entire life. After obtaining my doctorate in physical therapy; I became intrigued by the healing properties of water.
There are many benefits of Aquatic Therapy. But before I explain them; let me answer questions that I often get asked. Do I need to know how to swim? The answer is NO!! Or You may be wondering if you will have to get your hair wet? Not if you don’t want to . After working with patients in the water for the past 8 years I know that most Bahamians have a fear of “swimming”. However, like mentioned before you have nothing to worry about! Swimming isn’t a requirement for this form of therapy.
Do you have back or joint pain?
Then Aquatic Therapy maybe right for you. The benefits are endless! Here are a few reasons that can help you decide if Aquatic Therapy is right for you.
Do you have stiff muscles?
In the water you can achieve improved flexibility of your joints and muscles because in the water your muscles will feel lighter due to bouncy.
Are your muscles weak?
Aquatic Therapy can help you strengthen them. The water can provide resistance to your muscles to help improve your strength.
Do you find that you get tired easily?
You can improve endurance with Aquatic Therapy. Like mentioned above it takes more resistance to perform exercises in the water than on land therefore it can also improve your body’s overall endurance.
Do you have joint or back pain?
Aquatic Therapy can help you reduce your pain to your joints or your back because it can help with relaxation of your muscles. While in the water you escape the effects of gravity and therefore you can eliminate pressure on your joint or back that can help reduce pain.
I hope that this post is informative and explains what Aquatic Therapy is and how it may be right for you or someone you know. Feel free to contact us for more information or ask your physician if Aquatic Therapy is right for you.