Need a Little Help Getting Active? Try Physical Therapy
You know that regular exercise is crucial to living a healthy lifestyle. The CDC recommends adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week–about 22 minutes a day, so you don’t have to toil away in the gym for hours. But hitting those numbers can still be a challenge, especially if you struggle with persistent pain or limited mobility.
That’s where physical therapy at Ambassador Physical Therapy comes in. We’re movement experts who understand all the impairments in your musculoskeletal system that can keep you from living the active, healthy lifestyle you crave. From pain management to maximizing your athletic performance, we’ll help you meet your exercise goals.
Here are just a few of the ways we can help you get healthier. Ready to get started? Call our clinic today!
We Can Reduce Pain and Restore Mobility
Many orthopedic conditions and injuries can make regular exercise feel difficult (if not impossible). Osteoarthritis, herniated discs, tennis elbow–all can make you feel like it’s easier just to sit this one out. In reality, though, all these conditions (and others) benefit from regular exercise.
Dealing with persistent pain or limited mobility? Our physical therapists offer several options for pain relief, including several manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, or myofascial release. We use these techniques as the first step in preparing your body for regular movement.
We’ll also show you targeted, tailored exercises to reduce pain in the affected area. Joint pain often stems from muscular imbalances or postural impairments that stress the impacted joint, leading to discomfort and setting you up for more serious injuries. Strength training will help reduce your pain and get you moving again.
Exercise of the Month
Bird Dog
2 Sets Until Fatigue (You gotta feel the burn!)
Start on your hands and knees on a mat or table. Keep your back flat and core engaged. Slowly extend one arm straight forward while simultaneously extending the opposite leg straight back. Hold for a few seconds, maintaining balance and keeping your hips level. Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side. This exercise builds core stability, improves balance, and strengthens the muscles that support your spine.
We Can Help You Exercise with Confidence
Starting a new exercise program for the first time–or restarting one after some time away–can be deeply intimidating. You don’t know which exercises you should do. You have no idea if you’re performing movements correctly. You’re not even sure what types of exercise you would enjoy.
Our physical therapists can help with all these concerns and more. We can suggest an exercise program that suits your abilities, interests, and goals and work with you one-on-one to guide you through any unfamiliar movements or equipment. We can also suggest movement or activity modifications if something’s too difficult and offer reassurance that even small changes can have a big impact.
Our team doesn’t just help beginners, either. As you progress, you may find yourself plateauing or struggling with certain aspects of your performance. Our therapists can get to the bottom of things and develop a performance improvement plan so you can see the results you’re looking for.
Start the Journey to An Active Lifestyle Today!
No matter your needs, the physical therapists at Ambassador Physical Therapy will help you get active in a way that works for you. Whether you’re dealing with pain, recovering from an injury, or just want to exercise with confidence, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way.
Healthy Recipe: Pre-Workout Energy Smoothie
Fuel your active lifestyle with this nutrient-packed smoothie that provides sustained energy for your workouts. Rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, this bowl helps prepare your muscles for exercise while being easy to digest.
Ingredients:
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
Toppings:
• Fresh berries
• Granola
• Sliced almonds
• Chia seeds
• Coconut flakes
Instructions:
Blend the banana, blueberries, Greek yogurt, almond milk, almond butter, honey, and flaxseed until smooth and thick. Pour into a glass and arrange your favorite toppings. The combination of protein from Greek yogurt, healthy fats from almond butter, and complex carbs from fruit provides steady energy to power through your workout. Enjoy 30-60 minutes before exercise!
Nutritional benefits: This smoothie provides approximately 350 calories with 20g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 10g healthy fats, making it ideal pre-workout fuel.
Patient Testimonial
“The team at Ambassador Physical Therapy made me feel welcome from day one. I came in nervous about starting an exercise program after years of being sedentary, but they were patient, encouraging, and really took the time to understand my goals. Now I’m more active than I’ve been in a decade, and I actually enjoy working out! I can’t thank them enough for giving me my confidence back.”
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Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6509454/
