Exercise by condition

Moving from “I can’t” to “I can” – finding hope in disease management through physical therapy

You’ve just been diagnosed with a common condition that has no cure. The immediate thought may be, “it is what it is,” or, “there’s nothing I can do about it.” 

But there’s good news.

You don’t have to be a passive rider on the rollercoaster of disease. You can use the power of physical therapy to control disease progression and enjoy your life.

While rehabilitation is often thought of after a physical injury, the benefits for disease and condition management are real and easy to tap into through physical rehabilitation specialists.

In general, exercise provides major benefits for all diseases, including:

• Better sleep – quantity and quality
• Positive mental health – improved mood, lower anxiety, decreased depression
• Increased independence and strength
• Weight management
• Lower pain sensitivity

Physical therapy vs. fitness training – what’s the difference?

There is no doubt that any step toward consistent movement and fitness is going to be a positive step forward. There are many avenues available to be more fit—doing it yourself, going to the gym, finding a personal trainer and, yes, physical therapy. 

Physical therapy may not be thought of as the first choice of improving physical fitness, but it should be a top consideration, especially for anyone with a medical condition. 

Here’s why.

We see the big picture. 

A first visit with a physical therapist includes a thorough assessment through open conversation and testing of strength, balance and endurance. Physical therapists focus on who you are as an individual, your medical history and your goals for living the life you want to live. 

We measure results.

The testing at the first visit sets a baseline of numbers to easily track your progress during future visits. This baseline makes it possible for a care plan to be uniquely created for you and your condition around the goals you want to achieve.

We match plans to your level of function and need.

It’s all about exercise selection and dosing. A skilled therapist makes the distinct connection between medical needs and fitness by creating an individualized plan for you versus a standard cookie-cutter approach. They choose the exercises that best target your physical needs and provide exact instructions for each exercise to best match your function level and work toward improvement.

We know one plan doesn’t fit all.

The next few sessions are equally as important as your therapist implements your personalized care plan. Here’s where the relationship kicks in between you and your therapist. 

Step-by-step you work through the plan. Just as you have regular visits with your primary care provider for optimal health, you and your therapist have set visits to see if the plan is working, adjusting as needed until progress is made.  

Walk with us as we explore some common conditions where a relationship with a physical therapist can be the difference between living with disease and living a full, active life while having a disease.

Diabetes

When diagnosed with diabetes, hearing the words “you need insulin” from your doctor can be a crushing blow. But did you know that exercise naturally lowers blood sugars? 

If insulin is required to control sugar levels in the body, exercise can make it more effective. This is beneficial to both the type 1 and type 2 diabetic. 

The benefits of exercise for diabetes stretch even further with a consistent physical program.

• Weight management – Healthy weight controls blood sugar and reduces the risk of complications.
• Energy and mood – Uncontrolled blood sugars cause more fatigue, stress and mood swings. Consistent exercise can help control the ups and downs of blood sugars, making you feel better and creating an “I can” attitude toward all aspects of life. 
• Lower risk of heart problems – Having diabetes does increase the risk of developing heart disease and complications. Exercise keeps that in check by lowering blood pressure, bad cholesterol and whole body inflammation. 
• Neuropathy – Diabetes can cause loss of sensation in the hands and feet and vision can become compromised. Exercise improves the circulatory response of the body through better blood flow to all limbs and organs, lessening damage or dysfunction of the nerves that cause diabetic neuropathy.

Part of the plan: a mix of aerobic exercises and strength training. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking and swimming.

Blood pressure/heart disease

According to the American Heart Association, doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week can lower your blood pressure by about five to seven points if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure. 

For anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease, that means we’re looking for you to commit to aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, five days a week and then complete some type of strength training exercises two to three days a week. 

Sound like an overwhelming task? Not so if you’re working with an expert who can support you one-on-one. A physical therapist can prescribe exercises that are a fit for you so you can build up to what you need to do to be healthy.

“I’ve got a bad heart” is not a pass to avoid exercise, instead it is an even more compelling reason to exercise and a physical therapist can guide you with medical-based expertise.

A regular movement regimen can help you to:

• Strengthen the heart – The right physical exercise in the right dose makes the heart muscle stronger, improving its ability to pump blood efficiently.
• Lower blood pressure – Regular exercise helps reduce high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Improve cholesterol levels – Perfect in every way, exercise raises “good” HDL cholesterol, lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol, reduces triglyceride numbers and as a result, reduces plaque buildup in the arteries.
• Reduce inflammation – Chronic inflammation in the body is key factor in heart disease, reducing it pays off in preventing heart attack and strokes.
• Weight management – Maintaining a healthy weight reduces strain on the heart and lowers the risk of heart-related issues.
• Improves blood circulation – Regular activity that gets the heart pumping promotes excellent blood flow, reducing the risk of clots and blockages.
• Reduces stress – Who doesn’t want less stress? Exercise lowers stress hormones, improves mood and reduces the risk of stress-related heart issues.

Part of the plan: a mix of aerobic exercise like walking, jogging or cycling and strength training like resistance exercises or weight lifting.

Arthritis/chronic pain

When every movement hurts or you go through each day with a dull thud of fatigue and ache throughout your body, the brain shuts down on the idea of more movement. The reality is, the less you move, the stronger your pain and ache can become. Movement is a form of medicine in its own right. 

Getting over the mental barrier of putting off exercise starts the process to feeling better.

Even with arthritis making the body any percentage stronger makes it easier to move. A skilled clinician teaches you safe exercises to support your joints and spine so you can do what brings you joy.

• Reduce pain sensitivity – Through exercise and regular movement the body releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers that help improve mood and reduce discomfort.
• Improve blood flow – Movement increases circulation which then delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and joints, promoting healing and reducing stiffness
• Strengthen muscles and joints – Building stronger muscles helps support joints and reduce strain, easing pain from conditions like arthritis and back pain.
• Enhance flexibility and mobility – Stiffness can be reduced or eliminated through stretching and gentle movement, helping to improve range of motion and reduce discomfort.
• Improve posture and body mechanics – Strengthening core muscles and focusing on proper body alignment can alleviate pain.
• Prevent deconditioning – Avoiding movement because of pain can lead to muscle weakness and worsening pain over time. Stop that process by focusing on increasing movement.

The bright spot is, with the right exercise at the right time, it doesn’t take months to see a difference. You will start to feel the benefits of a prescribed exercise program in three to four days, and in one to two weeks you are going to feel better, sleep better and have more energy. The hardest part is starting, but then you want to come back for more.

Part of the plan: low impact workouts, stretching and flexibility exercises, strength training and mind-body exercise.

Cancer

The big C-word, probably one of the scariest words in the English language. The addition of exercise both during and after cancer treatment can be transforming. The biggest factor is having a cheerleader, coach and support person in your physical therapist. 

With the proper plan in place, rehabilitation can serve as the source of the body’s rechargeable battery.

• Reduce fatigue – Exercise, believe it or not, reduces fatigue by improving energy levels and providing the right mindset to move forward.
• Boost immune function – Exercise strengthens the immune system, supporting recovery and fighting infections throughout the cancer journey.
• Maintain muscle mass and strength – When cancer treatments like chemotherapy cause loss of muscle strength, exercise focused on strength training preserves muscle and function, giving you the power to fight back.
• Improve cardiovascular health – Many cancer treatments can impact the heart, but just like those fighting heart disease, exercise supports lung and heart function.
• Enhance mobility and flexibility – Stiffness or reduced ability to move can be an effect of some cancer treatments, but exercise steps in to counter loss of movement before it happens.
• Better mental health – Exercise can be better for everything—sleep, mood, self-esteem—all producing a positive, mind-over-matter approach to health.

Most importantly, studies suggest exercise can reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially breast, colon and prostate cancers. In addition, exercise can alleviate pain, nausea and neuropathy caused by chemotherapy and radiation.

Part of the plan: gentle, low-impact activities, like walking, swimming and cycling.

Parkinson’s disease

The most common issue with Parkinson’s disease is the impact on balance and increased risk of falling. For this diagnosis the greatest concern is losing the ability to move independently. Involving physical therapy as soon as possible after diagnosis helps manage symptoms, improves mobility and ultimately leads to a higher quality of living with the condition. 

A skilled clinician can:

• Improve balance and coordination – By strengthening muscles and correcting posture, the risk of falling can be reduced.
• Target tremors and stiffness – Movement helps loosen stiff muscles and improve fluidity of motion.
• Increase mobility – With a focus on flexibility and strength, daily movements become easier.
• Support brain health – Exercise that is physical in nature also strengthens the brain by slowing the loss of dopamine, a key chemical affected in Parkinson’s patients. Movement also helps the brain form new connections, improving motor skills and control.
• Enhance mental well-being – Physical activity releases endorphins that improve mood and combat depression. Exercises can also be used to target memory, focus and problem-solving, which can be affected by the disease.
• Improve cardiovascular health and overall fitness – Helps maintain heart health, energy levels and endurance, all of which are known to decline as Parkinson’s progresses.

Part of the plan: aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility and stretching and balance and coordination training.

Hope plus effort changes the cycle of disease progression

The gains from working with a physical therapist can be seen and felt in every aspect of living. Looking at a diagnosis as not a definition of who you are but as a challenge you can overcome is life changing.  

When you take the first step of making an appointment with a rehabilitation expert you are reversing the vicious cycle of thought patterns that keep you from overcoming disease. Pain induces fear, fear of movement makes you not move, less movement makes it harder to move and all the benefits of exercise go in reverse. 

You can create a new positive cycle. 

Committing to your custom exercise plan, that matches your goals and hopes for living, with a sensible starting point and reasonable progression is key to taking back your life. It’s not magic, it is planned achievement. 

Along that journey, skilled rehabilitation experts – movement specialists, really – are your coaches and encouragers, your partners who walk beside you, making each step meaningful and full of purpose. Take the step today to say “I can” fight and “I will.”