Exercise Helps EVERYTHING!!

22 Oct Exercise Helps EVERYTHING!!

Exercise affects every system in your body. I am a physical therapist, and I believe in the power of exercise (and the right exercise). I believe that our bodies are wonderful and can (sometimes) heal and improve themselves, with the right movement, strength, stretch, etc. That is why I became a physical therapist in the first place. I know that most people think of exercise as going to gym, running on a treadmill or lifting weights. But exercise is anything that moves and challenges your body. And it can be done, and make a difference, at any stage. Start lying in bed, sitting a chair / wheelchair, standing at your kitchen counter, walking to the bathroom / kitchen, in the pool, etc. No matter where you are, add movement. If you are a caregiver, encourage movement in your loved one’s life. Let them reach for things, let them do what they can instead of rushing in to do things for them, (if safe) encourage them to walk to the bathroom instead of riding in the w/c. Get them to sit on the edge of the bed to wash their face or get dressed or eat lunch.

Exercise affects multiple systems in the body, promoting short- and long-term health benefits.

Cardiovascular system: Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, increases good cholesterol (HDL), and decreases risk of heart disease.  Being active improves your endurance so you can make it to the bathroom without getting out of breath. It improves circulation to get blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to your muscles and brain to help them function and repair optimally. Improved circulation reduces inflammation, swelling, soreness, fatigue; helps to promote faster muscle recovery, healing / tissue repair. Well oxygenated muscles are less prone to injury. Circulation also helps with decreasing risk of pressure ulcers and DVT.

Respiratory system:  Exercise increases lung capacity and improves oxygen exchange, and may improve rib movement / expansion, ability for deep breathing, and decreased use of accessory muscles. Your diaphragm will strengthen, and you will be able to take deeper breaths and breathe easier. A stronger diaphragm also helps in core stability and pelvic floor engagement.

Musculoskeletal system:  Exercise improves strength, flexibility, and bone density.  Increased strength and flexibility help you stand up from the couch or the toilet and have better balance, decreasing fall risk. Stronger arms help you lift dishes into the cabinet. Stronger legs and balance help you to squat to pick objects up off the floor. Keeping muscles strong help to protect and stabilize joints, decreasing pain and improving mobility. Flexibility helps your body move ergonomically, increasing function and endurance and decreasing pain. It allows you to get your arms into shirts / coats, to get your legs into pants, and reach your feet to put on socks on shoes.

Nervous system:  Exercise helps brain health, cognition, mood, and growth of neurons.  It improves coordination and balance. Allowing safe challenges decreases fall risk and improves your chances of reacting to slips and trips.

Endocrine system:  Exercise influences hormone regulation and endorphins.  It helps with blood sugar management, improving mood, and decreasing stress. 

Immune system:  Exercise boosts immune response, helping you fight off infections and recover better from illness.

Digestive system:  Exercise increases gut motility, decreases constipation, and reduces gut inflammation. If you are having trouble with bowel movements, try walking!!

Lymphatic system:  Exercise and massage improves lymph circulation and helps remove toxins and edema.

Integumentary:  Exercise helps with skin health, decreases risk of pressure sores.

Urinary system:  Exercise helps the kidneys regulate electrolytes and waste products. 

So, exercise!! Movement affects all areas and systems of our bodies. Pay attention to your precautions, and work around them. Find a way to stay active or to help encourage your loved one to stay active. It might not fix everything or get you back to the way you were, but it will improve your mobility and your quality of life. Reasearch shows that gains can be made up into your 90’s!!

If you don’t know where to start or how to incorporate movement into your day, or want a general exercise program, reach out to My Rehab Answers, we can help!! If you have specific issues you want to address, consider finding a physical therapist near you. Look for a physical therapist with a specialty that can help with strengthening, balance, spine, arthritis, neurological diagnoses. etc.