Ask the Experts: Physical Therapist Urges Us to Get Moving Again
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here’s no denying it—the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll this past year on our overall mental and physical health. To keep ourselves and our communities safe, we adopted new daily routines and reinvented socially distant hobbies. For months, by necessity and mandate, we stayed mostly homebound, and our daily physical activity dropped precipitously. Engaging in daily physical activity to preserve mobility and keep our bodies strong is critical. But for some, it’s not just the pandemic that’s impacting our ability to move. If pain and mobility issues are keeping you from moving more, or as much as you should, then it’s time to add physical therapy to your wellness routine. According to Aysha Morgan, physical therapist at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) in Canyon Park, now is the perfect time to start. But, if you still aren’t comfortable with in-person therapy, most therapists offer virtual visits that can be done in the comfort of your home. We asked Morgan the affect this past year has had on patients she’s working with, and her recommendations to help us get our bodies moving more frequently and comfortably. How have the pandemic and social distancing mandates taken a toll on our bodies? Our bodies need regular physical activity to stay healthy.
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3rd Act magazine | summer 2021
I’m seeing a deterioration of mental and physical well-being due to the limited options for physical exercise and physical activity during the pandemic. This more sedentary lifestyle is taking a toll on our health and mobility. To be clear, physical activity is the overall movement of the body and muscles that requires energy. Physical exercise, however, is a planned, structured, and repetitive movement to improve physical fitness. Too little of either one negatively impacts everyone’s health, and the impact is even greater and more difficult to recover from when you are older. What are the most common injuries or areas of concern you are seeing right now? I am seeing an increase in knee, hip, and leg issues in my older patients. I’m also seeing more injuries from falls and balance problems. What simple, at-home movements do you suggest for folks who are looking to improve their strength and balance? Most importantly, do at least one exercise a day to work key muscles but start slow—and vary what you do. If you walk, for example, vary your daily route with different slopes or steps to better balance and strengthen a variety of joints and muscles. Here are some examples of balance and strength building exercises you can do at home:
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