Do you spend your days painfully hobbling from your bed to your reclining chair and back? Do you cringe at the thought of engaging in any strenuous activity? You’re not alone. Many people avoid physical activity at all costs because they are afraid of the aches and pains that it causes.
However, getting active can significantly improve your health, comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. Continue reading if you want to become more physically active at home. And if you want more tips on how to start leading an active and pain-free life, contact Sobe Innovative Rehabilitation.
Are you practicing good health?
Being healthy does not require you to be the most physically fit person in the room. When it comes to the term “health,” everything is subjective. This term refers to how well your body functions in terms of breathing, ventilation, digestion, and other areas.
Every action you take to help your body function optimally is a step toward becoming a better version of yourself. Our in-home physical therapists will provide you with workouts, stretches, and dietary advice to help you improve your health and physically feel better.
How can at-home physical therapy benefit your health?
Our in-home physical therapists will assess your health and make recommendations based on your needs and goals. Simultaneously, other healthy, beneficial modalities such as massage, ultrasound therapy, dry needling, cold and heat treatments, acupuncture, or laser therapy can enhance the benefits of your activities.
These treatments can aid in tissue recovery, inflammation relief, pain relief, and the desire to continue moving and having fun.
In addition to physical therapy, our physical therapists have suggested five activities that you might enjoy adding to your lifestyle.
1. Take a walk
Walking is one of those perfect activities that doesn’t require any special equipment and makes perfect sense. Why waste gasoline on a short trip when you can get some fresh air and low-impact exercise instead?
Walking improves your circulation without putting undue strain on your body. It also gets your weight-bearing joints moving, which is great if you have arthritis
2. Go swimming
If even walking is too much for you these days, a pool swim might be a better option. Swimming is extremely beneficial for people with arthritis or extremity injuries because it reduces the effects of gravity on the body.
3. Go for a bike ride
Cycling gets you where you want to go while also providing several health benefits.
The aerobic workout can help you improve your heart health, while just riding the bike can help you improve your balance and leg strength. Cycling also has a lower impact than running if you have back or knee problems.
4. Consider weight training
Weight lifting isn’t just for “muscle heads” or “gym rats.” Lifting weights can be beneficial for anyone. Weight training will help you develop muscle tissue that will support your joints.
Stronger muscles are less prone to fatigue and painful strains. Working out with weights also helps you maintain bone density, which helps prevent muscle wasting as you age.
5. Take a jog
Running is more demanding on the heart, lungs, and knees than walking, but these demands can be very beneficial to your health. The well-known “runner’s high” appears to have its own pain-relieving properties for chronic pain sufferers.
The phrase “no pain, no gain” also seems to apply here. That routine you get from running could encourage your brain to step down its baseline pain sensitivity, making your other aches and pains seem less bothersome.
Other methods for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires effort, but once you get into a routine, it becomes much easier. Consuming healthy foods is one of the simplest ways to improve your health (although we know those sweets are hard to kick.) Physical activity is the most difficult habit to form, especially if you suffer from chronic pain. We provide our services in the safety and comfort of your own home, making physical therapy much more convenient for you.
Some people use anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications to mask their symptoms, while others, sadly, give up on the idea of being active entirely. There is, thankfully, another option: physical therapy. With the help of our in-home physical therapists, you can regain your pain-free, active lifestyle and resume your favorite activities.
Call us today to improve your health
Life is too short to spend it lying in bed or sitting in your chair all day. Call us right away if pain is preventing you from being as active as you would like. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment to see one of our physical therapists. It’s the healthiest decision you can make!
Sources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
- http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2018/11/13/HHSPAGuidelinesRevision/
- https://dynamichealthcarolinas.com/blog/swimming/
- https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/arthritis-friendly/walking.php
- https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/strength-train
- https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a20812312/running-as-pain-relief/
- https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/benefits-of-cycling-334144
