Geaux Health & Fitness Magazine June 2014 | Page 19

geaux healthy

Ask the Physical Therapist
Physical Therapy’s Role
in Wellness and Prevention
The nation’s health care crisis has now more than ever brought to the
forefront of our ‘collective consciousness’ the importance of wellness and
lifestyle related disease prevention. As the costs of illness become more
prohibitive, we are rapidly approaching a time where being ‘unfit’, from a
lifestyle perspective, is going to become unaffordable as well. Just as smoking habits have drastically reduced over the last 15-20 years, sitting and the
sedentary lifestyle are now positioned to be the next target for dramatic
change.
But what does ‘being fit’ mean with regard to wellness and prevention?
Exercise related ‘misconceptions’ are abundant and most non-exercisers do
not really know just what to do with regard to activity, intensity, frequency,
or duration. In its simplest form, exercise just means to MOVE more. The
key is not to focus on the hundreds of ‘programs’ and products on the market and find something that YOU like to do. With that being said, perhaps
one of the largest barriers to moving more is musculoskeletal pain and/or
discomfort, and the associated fear of hurting one’s self.
In reality, aches and pains in the joints and muscles should be one of the
primary motivating factors TO exercise, not a roadblock preventing it. Our
bodies were designed to move, and disuse has major detrimental effects.

Chris Purvis, PT, MS, ATC, CSCS
Chris is a Physical Therapist, Athletic
Trainer, and Strength and Conditioning
Specialist and a co-owner of Peak
Performance Physical Therapy and
Spectrum Fitness Medical Wellness of
Baton Rouge.

This is where having a well-qualified physical therapist as part of your
health care team can make a tremendous difference in reaching your exercise
related goals. Physical Therapists are specifically trained in the mechanics of movement and how the body responds to both proper, and improper,
forces. PT’s can help identify a poor foundation for exercise, help correct it,
and provide a world of knowledge and confidence with a program. Physical
Therapy ‘treatment’ is not necessarily required in a lot of cases. A simple assessment with a therapist can provide a great deal of information, and when
needed, PT’s are also excellent at working with your doctor and/or any other
members of your medical team.
If you have questions or problems starting or progressing a current attempt
to ‘move more’ because of pain, find a physical therapist in your near area
and you will be back on track to healthy lifestyle. GH&F

June 2014 geauxhealthandfitness.com

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