COVID has made the importance of health very clear and demonstrated how quickly things can change with an illness. While COVID is currently front and center in most people’s thoughts, it isn’t the only illness that can change your life. Heart disease, diabetes, strokes and cancer are examples of conditions that can also be devastating.

Movement offers a defense

If you want to be more resilient and defend against these conditions, physical activity can do it. The dangers of being sedentary are well known and documented in the research. For many of us, sitting and being inactive is part of our jobs. However, research has shown that getting in enough movement can counteract the negative effects of being sedentary.

A large study done in England found no association between the amount of time people spent sedentary and the participants’ chances of illness. The authors felt their findings were likely “attributable to a protective effect of the high volumes of daily walking.” The people in the study had daily walking times that were over double the average amount reported in England.

Physical Therapists Are Unequaled Experts in Human Movement

While walking was the activity in this particular study, other research has shown that all kinds of movement can help protect your health. If you’re looking to get those protective benefits for yourself, you could choose to walk, bike, lift weights, dance or even garden. If you’re not moving as much or as well as you would like, see your physical therapist. PTs are the most qualified professionals to help you move better and allow you to stay healthy and enjoy life. From designing a program to get you started or helping you recover from an injury, your PT is the right person to look to for help.

If you are interested in getting started with physical therapy, Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is a convenient, local, and privately-owned physical therapy practice that has been voted “Best Physical Therapist” by our community for the past 10 years. Although it is important to keep your doctor informed about any changes in your symptoms, a physician’s prescription is not required to begin physical therapy treatment. All of our Physical Therapists are trained to thoroughly screen patients and constantly reassess symptoms to make sure that you are safe to participate in exercise. For more information please call our office at 815.756.8524 to schedule an appointment and start feeling better today.