Physio Health
If you find yourself in need of physio care, go to the experts for therapy and services. Physiotherapists are trained in the evaluation and rehabilitation of all musculoskeletal concerns. This includes muscle, bone, and joint injuries. Along with expert treatment for your specific areas of distress or injury, a personalised exercise plan will be made for you as appropriate.
Physiotherapy is more than targeted treatment and care. It goes into whole-body health and wellness for maximum healing. The aim is to mitigate any future injury by helping you stay healthy and strong through therapy and exercise. There are many companies out there, like that you can find via ckphysio.co.uk, that provide this kind of treatment. Sports therapy is a particular area where you may seek preventative care and maintenance, especially if you play the same sport year-round.
Home visit services for out patients might also be an option. Time constraints, immobility due to injury, and age-related restrictions are all reasons to utilise this service for your convenience.
Currently prescribed physiotherapy often requires patients to complete regular exercises at home. Outside of the clinic, patients rarely receive any guidance other than a leaflet of sketches or static photographs to instruct them how to complete their exercises. This leads to poor adherence, with patients becoming anxious about not getting the exercise right, or simply getting bored by the repetitiveness of the movements. The advent of consumer virtual reality technology combined with 3D motion capture allows real movements to be accurately translated onto an avatar that can be viewed in a virtual environment. Researchers at the Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG, University of Warwick are investigating whether this technology can be used to provide guidance to physiotherapy patients, by providing a virtual physiotherapist in the home to demonstrate the prescribed exercises.
Staying Motivated and being consistent
We all know exercise should be a part of your life in some way each and every day. There are many nuances to it, so it is important to pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you are just beginning an exercise routine after an injury or you are at the beginning of your health journey, always consult with your healthcare provider before starting.
Part of exercising is taking it easy on yourself if you can’t fit in a full run or swim on any given day. Instead, look to small acts and habits to maintain body movement each day. Try parking at the end of the parking lot so that you have to walk further to get to the store. Choose stairs instead of the lift when there is an option. If you live close enough to a restaurant, work, or a friend’s home opt to walk or cycle instead of driving.
A study which looked at activity levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic found lockdown restrictions significantly reduced light activity associated with socialising and work.
Sarah Roberts-Lewis, the study lead and a Neurological Physiotherapist at King’s College London, said: “Even people who don’t do much exercise have been impacted by lockdown inactivity. During COVID-19 lockdown, our study detected an extra hour per day of inactivity in disabled and independent adults with neuromuscular diseases. Moving less is detrimental to health. Reduced activity can be especially harmful for those with neuromuscular conditions, disabilities or advanced age.”
“The reduction in light activity measured in this study is likely to be similar for anybody whose daily routine has been restricted by lockdown. Based on our findings, we suggest people move their bodies for 5 minutes each hour during the day. Additionally, spend 30 minutes each day doing some extra light activity, like yoga or chair exercises. The World Health Organisation activity guidelines state ‘every move counts’; they provide suggestions about light activites suitable for all abilities. Simple changes can help with reconditioning during and after lockdown.”
As you continue on your exercise journey, consider changing your routine to maximize results and stave off boredom. Swap out HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training for a fast-paced run, or choose yoga in place of pilates. There are so many options when it comes to keeping your body moving. You can join a gym, stream a workout of your choosing online for free or as part of a paid subscription, or meet up with friends for extra motivation.
Here’s a quick HIIT workout video to try at home.
Maintaining good physical health is essential for all facets of your overall health. Finding a professional physio clinic will keep you in optimal wellness. Beginning and continuing an exercise routine will help you reduce stress and increase muscle tone and strength. Remember to take care of your brain acuity, too. Staying healthy is a win for your future self.