Better Health for the New Year

Thursday, December 27, 2012

---

Did you know that on January 1st over 1 million Americans resolve to lose weight each year? The reason so many choose this resolution year after year, is because that often entails dieting and extreme exercise plans. And the more drastic the change, the easier it is to give up. If losing weight and having more energy is something you strive for, why not make your resolution a more holistic approach to better health and make your goal “Healthy Living?”

Healthy living can include many things like eating more fruits and vegetables, taking a daily multivitamin, attending recommended physician visits and physicals, and making physical activity a part of your daily regimen.

Most professionals would agree that being physically active is a critical part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It has been shown to help prevent heart disease, reduce risks of cancer, help maintain blood sugar levels for those at risk of low blood sugar or diabetes, and assist in the prevention or management of osteoporosis. These are just a few important health reasons to find a physical activity that you enjoy and stick with it.

But what if pain or mobility issues inhibit you from physical activity? That’s where Physical Therapy can help. Physical Therapists are specialists in the use of therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, massage, and functional retraining to help people manage and often times resolve the joint, spinal and muscle pain that inhibits their movement forward. Even when osteoarthritis has led someone to have multiple joint pain, there are specific exercises, modalities including aquatic therapy, and educational recommendations that can make a significant difference in the quality of movement and most importantly, the quality of living for an individual.
 If better health is one of your New Year’s Resolutions and you need some guidance on how to keep your body moving forward, contact your primary care specialist today and get a referral for Physical Therapy - we have five west Michigan locations, making it convenient for you. Your body will thank you for it!