Fortunately, modern sports medicine knows better than to tell an athlete with an injury to just "walk it off". Or does it? New research is giving the no nonsense coaches go to treatment plan a revival. Broken bone? Walk it off. Concussion? Walk it off. Herniated disk? Walk it off. But wait, there is more... ADHD? Walk it off, type 2 Diabetes? Walk it off. Want to live longer? Walk it off!
Patients regularly ask me what they should do for exercise. My answer is generally some variation of "whatever you enjoy doing". If you loathe an exercise routine, what are the odds of you sticking with it long term? Find something you enjoy and do it regularly. At this point life gets in the way. Work, school, kids, family, tired, the list goes on and on and exercise gets a back seat.
What are we to do? Walk it off.
No matter how busy life gets I guarantee you that you can make 30 minutes a day for a walk. Just a walk. No membership needed, you don't have to hit the showers before going back to work, take the kids with you they need it even more than you do. Make it a habit every day and the simple act of walking can transform your health for the better.
Dr. Jenna and I go for a lunch walk every day, weather depending. Sometimes we will get another walk in after we get home. We walk the dog in the morning. We park far away from the store we are going to and walk. We go on vacation to walk 45 miles in 5 days. Walking can get you to some amazing places by the way.
A special health report from the Harvard School of Medicine is a recent addition to a growing pile of research showing the health benefits of just walking. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/walking-for-health
Walking for 2.5 hours a week, that's just 21 minutes each day decreased heart disease risk by 30%. It reduces risk of diabetes and cancer it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. It improves your mood and can provide mental clarity. Other studies cite the benefits to your immune system and rate of healing. The list of benefits is growing and your excuses are shrinking.
So next time you come in for your appointment and ask me what you can do to make it better....I will tell you in my best impression of a gruff football coach WALK IT OFF! And you will know I'm only saying it because I care.
Patients regularly ask me what they should do for exercise. My answer is generally some variation of "whatever you enjoy doing". If you loathe an exercise routine, what are the odds of you sticking with it long term? Find something you enjoy and do it regularly. At this point life gets in the way. Work, school, kids, family, tired, the list goes on and on and exercise gets a back seat.
What are we to do? Walk it off.
No matter how busy life gets I guarantee you that you can make 30 minutes a day for a walk. Just a walk. No membership needed, you don't have to hit the showers before going back to work, take the kids with you they need it even more than you do. Make it a habit every day and the simple act of walking can transform your health for the better.
Dr. Jenna and I go for a lunch walk every day, weather depending. Sometimes we will get another walk in after we get home. We walk the dog in the morning. We park far away from the store we are going to and walk. We go on vacation to walk 45 miles in 5 days. Walking can get you to some amazing places by the way.
A special health report from the Harvard School of Medicine is a recent addition to a growing pile of research showing the health benefits of just walking. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/walking-for-health
Walking for 2.5 hours a week, that's just 21 minutes each day decreased heart disease risk by 30%. It reduces risk of diabetes and cancer it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. It improves your mood and can provide mental clarity. Other studies cite the benefits to your immune system and rate of healing. The list of benefits is growing and your excuses are shrinking.
So next time you come in for your appointment and ask me what you can do to make it better....I will tell you in my best impression of a gruff football coach WALK IT OFF! And you will know I'm only saying it because I care.
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