Why Movement is Medicine We All Need
Would you take a medication that would significantly reduce your blood pressure, cholesterol and stress as well as improve your cardiorespiratory and immune system, ultimately lowering your chances of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes? What if this medication was free and had very view negative side effects which many medications do?
I am talking about the medicine of movement. It is a sad thought, but every seven minutes a Canadian adult dies from cardiovascular disease (CV). Heart disease and stroke now account for two of the three leading causes of death in Canada. Furthermore, 2.5 million were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2010. From 2010-2020 it is estimated that a further 1.2 million will be diagnosed bringing the total to 3.7 million. Treatment for these chronic illnesses costs the Canadian economy over $20 billion per year.
So Where Did It All Go Wrong? The Chair? The Computer? Industrialization?
As we have developed and become more technological evolved we have lost the art of movement. It is no surprise that CV disease is one of the most leading causes of premature death in first world countries. For most people, movement is no longer a daily requirement; sitting at a desk all day, then coming home to relax and watch TV.Chronic pain syndromes have become have become prevalent in the past 20yrs. Back pain has become one of the most common chronic conditions in Canada with 4 out of 5 Canadians having experienced it in their lifetime. In 85-90% of cases there was no specific cause of injury, with a sedentary lifestyle presumed to be a leading factor.
What we all need to understand is that our spines hate sitting and immobility….
“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” – Plato
Movement is something innate and primal that we have natural abilities for from the day (or possibly before) we are born. It is necessary and natural and has enabled our survival for thousands of years – a caveman who sat around all day didn’t eat! As babies, we are naturally capable of picking up objects without jeopardising our back.
Where Did We Lose Our Sense of Adventure?
It is recommended that each adult from 18-65 should partake in 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week, combined with strength and conditioning of major muscles groups. Unfortunately, only 15% of Canadian adults (18-65) meet the necessary guidelines of physical activity. To add to that 3 out of 5 Canadians are overweight.
Escape from the Negative Immobility Cycle
We hear many obstacles and excuses people use to escape from increasing their amount of physical activity due to chronic pain or chronic disease – “I don’t know how”, “I don’t have the time” and “I am afraid of getting hurt.”At Lifemoves® Health and Rehabilitation we coach and enable clients to achieve a healthier lifestyle through movement. Our role as Kinesiologists is to use the power of physical activity to prevent as well as manage chronic diseases, disabilities and injuries.Lifemoves®’ Kinesiologists can be your exercise therapy guides to help you overcome these barriers to greater movement and health. Physical activity speeds up rate of recovery and can be specific functional requirements of that individual.
