What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

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We all want to feel and look our best and one way to help with this is through exercise. Exercise and eating a healthier diet are common recommendations doctors are telling their patients everyday and there is a reason behind this.

 

There are many benefits with exercise, which I will go through at least seven reasons for you to hit the gym even harder!

 

  1. Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. The more intense the activity, you burn more calories. You can also incorporate more activity into your everyday life by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work.

 

  1. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases. Being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. Exercise can also prevent or manage conditions such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and arthritis.

 

  1. Exercise improves mood. A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help you feel more relaxed and happier.

 

  1. Exercise boosts energy. Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.

 

  1. Exercise promotes better sleep. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep.

 

  1. Exercise helps promote a healthier sex life. Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life.

 

  1. Exercise can be fun. Doing group workouts with friends or taking hikes with family can be a great way to spend some quality time with loved ones on top of getting some physical activity in as well.

 

 

If you want to know more about how to start an exercise routine and injury prevention, come by Form and Function Clinic. Our physiotherapist and chiropractors would love to show you how.

Stretching is like flossing…

  • I used this analogy a lot in the clinic because it works so well.
  • “Stretching for your muscle is like flossing for your gums. If you want your teeth and gums to be healthy, you floss often. If you want your joints and muscles to be healthy, you stretch often.”Stretching regularly helps keeps muscles from shortening. Short muscles can restrict joint movement and over time can lead to repetitive strain injuries. So take a look at our stretching videos (insert link here) and start flossing, I mean stretching!
  • Side note: Stretching, like flossing, sometimes is not enough. That’s why you go see a dental hygienist or dentist every so often to get a deeper clean for your teeth and gums. You should do the same with muscles and joints. Come in to Form and Function every so often and see our therapists. We can get a deeper release for your muscle and joints than stretching.

 

Manni Wong

Exercise Your Knees Regularly

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Knee joint is necessary for mobility and stability of lower extremity. The joint supports the body as one sits, stands, walks and climbs. Modern lifestyle has made the joint more prone to wear and tear, and serious injuries, due to lack of activity, over activity, obesity or other bodily disorders. The strength of knee muscle determines to a great extent the strength of joint.  Hence, it must be exercised properly and regularly.

Benefits:

Exercising the knee muscles improves the strength and stability of the knee and brings about balance. This helps in better mobility of the body,

Technique:

1. While sitting in chair or lying in bed, push your knee towards the surface and

2.  Lift your leg straight up to 45 degrees without bending your knee when in

3. Lie on your side, Lift your leg straight up without bending your knee. Hold for count of 5 and bring it down. Repeat 10 times.

4. Stand facing back of a chair. Bend your knees down to 30 to 45 degrees. Hold tighten the thigh muscle. Hold for a count of 5 and relax. Repeat 10 times.

lying position. Hold it there for the count of 10 and lower it down. Repeat 10 times. The exercise can be progressed by decreasing the angle at hip to 30 degrees, followed by 15 degrees to increase the load on knee muscles.

Smriti Kaushal