How Strength Training Can Improve Your Health
In the past, many people associated strength training with oiled-up, musclebound bodybuilders — and, as such, decided strength training wasn’t the workout for them. But that idea couldn’t be farther from the truth!
In a way, we get it. Strength training can be incredibly intimidating if you’re coming at it cold: you have to grapple with unfamiliar equipment, uncertainty about proper lifting techniques, and confusion about which exercises to perform. But once you find your footing, strength training is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and wellness.
At ProAction Physical Therapy, we want to help make strength training accessible to all, regardless of age, health history, or ability level. To help you see the many benefits of strength training, we thought we’d share the stories of two patients: Alisha and Michelle.
Both of these patients are ordinary women in their late 50s. Neither were hardcore athletes, but both discovered the health benefits of strength training.
Alisha: A New Hobby in Middle Age
Alisha first came to see us after she injured her back while working in the garden. Like most older people, Alisha’s muscle mass had been steadily decreasing, and the resulting weakness had ultimately led to her injury.
We provided her with a customized treatment plan, including dedicated strength training focused on Alisha’s core and back. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed the exercises, including how great she felt after completing them.
As her rehabilitation neared completion, Alisha asked her physical therapist for more information about strength training. She had heard it was an important piece of osteoporosis prevention, something that had been in the back of her mind since the condition ran in her family.
We were more than happy to help Alisha out. Her therapist helped her develop a general strength training program using barbells and dumbbells. He walked her through each exercise, assessed her lifting form, and guided her on gradually increasing intensity.
The result? Alisha found a new hobby. She became an avid weightlifter, hitting the gym three times a week. Even better, she restored some of her lost muscle mass, and her garden activities became easier over time.
Michelle: A Resistance to Resistance Training
Michelle had developed osteoarthritis in her hips in her mid-50s. Although the pain wasn’t severe, she did find herself becoming less active than she’d prefer. Eventually, she contacted us for help managing and slowing her condition.
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis pain, but Michelle was nervous about doing anything too strenuous — including strength training. She was especially wary of anything involving heavy weights.
However, strength training is an important piece of osteoarthritis management. Strong muscles stabilize and support the impacted joints, helping to relieve pressure (and symptoms).
Michelle’s physical therapist was sympathetic to her concerns, especially since low-impact exercises are generally better for people with osteoarthritis. To that end, she suggested Michelle start with a daily walking regimen, which would help get her used to physical activity while still building some muscle strength and endurance.
After a few weeks, Michelle’s therapists started her on simple bodyweight exercises that wouldn’t put too much pressure on her knee joints. They weren’t as difficult or painful as Michelle feared, and she eventually decided she wanted to add a little more resistance after all.
But she didn’t go all in with heavy barbells, as Alisha had. Instead, Michelle used a blend of resistance bands and light dumbbells. Her therapist provided the necessary guidance — and before Michelle knew it, she was performing strength training routines twice a week.
The result? Less pain and stiffness from Michelle’s arthritis meant more mobility and an easier time running errands, doing chores, and spending time with her loved ones.
How Will Strength Training Benefit You?
Good health means different things to different people. At ProAction Physical Therapy, we focus on improving your overall function so you can do the things in your life that matter most. Whether you want to kickstart an intense strength training program (like Alisha) or simply ensure you’re meeting the CDC’s recommendation of 2 days of muscle strength work a week (like Michelle), we’ve got you covered.
Call us today to get started on your strength training journey!
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5 Health Tips For The New Year
1. Shop Well For Yourself. It is more important than ever to stock your kitchen with healthy foods. Have healthy snacks handy. The more convenient they are, the more likely you are to eat them. Instead of thinking about what you shouldn’t eat, promise to eat your 3 to 5 servings of vegetables each day.
2. Schedule Your Exercise. Your schedule will be very hectic this year, like every year. Schedule your workouts just as you would any other appointment. It’s okay if you can’t make it to class, but make sure that you get some activity in at least three days per week.
3. Just Say No. You probably aren’t aware how much extra food you consume just from people offering it to you. A sample at the market here, an extra cookie at an office party there and it all adds up. Just think twice before you take that food and decide if you really want it.
4. Skip the Baking. Do you make baked goods for giving? Chances are you eat much of what you bake. Who wouldn’t? Instead make non-food gifts, or prepare ingredients for baked goods and put them in pretty jars—this year, let your gift recipient bake it up. That way, they can eat it when they want it and you don’t have to be tempted in the kitchen.
5. Hydrate. Keep your water bottle with you at all times. You should be drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. One handy trick is to buy a 64-ounce water jug. Fill it up in the morning and know that you need to finish it by the end of the day.
Skip The Script!
Have you suffered from a recent injury?
Good news! Thanks to Direct Access you can now bypass obtaining a script from your physician and come directly to physical therapy.
Direct Access allows you to visit a physical therapist to seek treatment right away as many conditions can be successfully evaluated and treated without expensive medical tests.
Contact us directly here at ProAction PT
to get started today!
Avoiding Common Winter Injuries
The most commonly reported wintertime injuries include:
- Slipping on ice and snow
- Muscle strain caused by shoveling snow or scraping ice off the car
- Accidents involving motor vehicles and driving
- Accidents that occur while participating in winter sports and activities (skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc.)
These injuries can be more severe for older individuals or those struggling with their health.
How Can I Avoid Injury This Winter?
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to stay safe this winter. Follow these tips to ensure a safe and fun holiday season:
- Wear proper footwear made for icy and snowy conditions when outside.
- Salt driveways, sidewalks, and stairs thoroughly and regularly.
- Cross parking lots with caution and provide extra assistance for children and seniors.
- Stretch before beginning any physical activity.
- Stay hydrated while working out and shoveling snow.
- When participating in winter sports, wear a helmet and other protective equipment.
- Always keep an eye on children who are playing outside in the snow.
Remember to stay safe and exercise caution this winter. And if you do become injured, contact ProAction Physical Therapy for relief!
Cranberry Sparklers Mocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cranberries (thawed if frozen), plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange bitters
- 1 750-ml bottle sparkling non-alcoholic dry wine, chilled
- Seltzer, chilled, for topping
Directions:
Muddle the cranberries with the sugar in a small bowl until the cranberries are in small bits and the sugar is dissolved. Strain into a large liquid measuring cup and stir in the bitters. (This can be done a day ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
For each drink, add 1 ounce of the cranberry mixture to a glass filled with ice. Top with about 4 ounces sparkling wine and a splash of seltzer. Garnish with cranberries.
Toys 4 Tots
Toys for Tots donations have been delivered! ProAction would like to send a huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated toys for our Toys for Tots collection this year! We’re grateful to be a part of such a giving, generous community.
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Refer a Friend
Our purpose at ProAction Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the communities around us. In order to do that, we want to change as many lives as possible and become a beacon of positivity in our communities.
Do you have a friend or family member who could benefit from our pain-relieving services? At ProAction Physical Therapy, we love helping people achieve relief from pain and reach their full potential, thus making a difference in their lives.
If you know someone who could use our help, click the button below to fill out our form and we will send them information about how we may be able to help their condition. Be sure to let them know you referred them so they can thank you!
