Regular exercise vital is for maintaining good health. I’ve seen this firsthand during my years as a practicing Physical Therapist. While there are many options for getting active, one of the easiest and most accessible is simply walking. This low-impact form of exercise offers a range of benefits for people of all ages and fitness levels. In this blog post, I’ll explore some of the surprising ways that walking can improve your health, from reducing your risk of chronic disease to boosting your mood and mental clarity.
Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight
Walking is a great way to burn calories and improve your body composition. According to the American Heart Association, a brisk walk at a moderate pace can burn up to 300 calories per hour. It can also help you build lean muscle, which increases your metabolism and makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight in the long run.
Reduces the Risk of Chronic Disease
Walking regularly can reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. For example, research has shown that just 30 minutes of walking per day can significantly decrease the risk of heart disease. Walking can also help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, reducing their risk of complications.
Improves Mood and Mental Clarity
In addition to its physical benefits, walking can also have a positive impact on your mental health. Regular exercise has been linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. Walking outdoors in particular can reduce stress and improve your mood by providing a change of scenery and exposure to natural light.
Lowers Inflammation and Improves Immune Function
Inflammation plays a role in many chronic diseases, from arthritis to Alzheimer’s. Walking has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, potentially helping to prevent or manage these conditions. Walking can also boost immune function, helping your body to fight off infections and illnesses.
Improves Joint Health and Balance
Finally, walking is a low-impact exercise that can improve joint health and balance, particularly in older adults. It can help reduce the risk of falls and improve overall functional mobility. Walking also strengthens the muscles surrounding your joints, potentially reducing the risk of injury.
Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise. It offers a range of benefits for your health. From reducing the risk of chronic disease to improving mood and mental clarity, incorporating regular walks into your routine can help improve your overall well-being. So whether you’re taking a stroll around your neighborhood or hitting the trails, lace up your shoes and start reaping the benefits of walking today.
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What is a Physical Therapist Qualified to Treat?
Like most professions, physical therapy continues to evolve as a profession. It is now a 6 year doctorate program. Within that time, we learn to treat people with orthopedic conditions, neurological impairments, cardiac issues, amputations, vestibular issues and more. Physical therapists are trained to work with newborns to geriatrics and everyone in between. After graduation, we have to pass a national test to become licensed to practice. To keep our license active, we have to complete 36 hours of education every 3 years. This is where we can choose courses to better ourselves in our specific setting and learn the most modern techniques! Below is a general (but not inclusive) list of conditions we treat in outpatient physical therapy:
Why Do I feel Like I’m Spinning?
BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, is a common cause of vertigo, or a false sense of spinning. It is fairly common among adults, with increased incidence as you age. It usually comes on without an apparent reason, however can occur after a head trauma or after spending time in a head tipped back position (such as in a dentist chair). Usually you will first notice symptoms when turning over in bed or when sitting up from bed in the morning.
The spinning sensation occurs due to a mechanical problem in the peripheral vestibular system of the inner ear. This system has calcium crystals called otoconia that sit on a gel-like substance and are sensitive to gravity, as well as three semicircular canals filled with fluid that are oriented in three different planes. In a normal vestibular system, the fluid in the canals moves when your head moves. This displaces hair cells and sends a message to the brain to tell it that your head is moving. Sometimes the otoconia crystals become dislodged into the fluid and give your brain a false signal that your head is moving when it’s not. This results in a spinning sensation, or vertigo.
