ACTIVITY THERAPY - THE MIRACLE CURE
The importance of inactivity as a risk factor as significant as diet and smoking for many common conditions including heart disease, dementia and frailty is now accepted, after decades in which its importance has been underestimated. However it is only in the last two years following the publication of the report of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges titled Exercise, the Miracle Cure that its therapeutic importance has been appreciated
The medical profession is evidence based and cautious and for it to use this language was a clear sign not only that the evidence was strong but also that the medical profession needed to wake up to the fact that it had been overlooking a type of therapy that is effective, cost effective and very acceptable. A small proportion of people with long term health problems were advised and supported to become more active but only if they were fortunate enough to be referred to a rehabilitation service. The majority of people with long term conditions were prescribed only drug therapy.
The benefits of Activity Therapy
•AFFECTS THE DISEASE PROCESS DIRECTLY IN SOME CONDITIONS e.g. type 2 diabetes
•PREVENTS THE LOSS OF FITNESS AND ACCELERATED DECLINE THAT OFTEN FOLLOWS DIAGNOSIS
•REDUCES THE RISK OF OTHER LONG TERM CONDITIONS EG REDUCING THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND DEMENTIA
•MAKES PEOPLE FEEL BETTER
A great initiative was launched in 2019 by Sport England with the name We Are Undefeatable which is aimed at people with long term conditions ; have a look at their website !
iPrescribeExercise
Unfortunately, not all the medical profession get this, yet. A small proportion of the NHS work in the specialty called Rehabilitation but only a small proportion of patients are referred to Rehabilitation teams. The majority of people with long term health problems such as heart disease or depression or bronchitis , or COPD as it is known these days , just get medical treatment - drugs. These drugs are of course usually beneficial but it is now known that if they are supported by activity they will be even more effective, and because activity/exercise makes almost everyone feel better the side effects of the drugs are less troublesome. (sometimes the 'side effects' are actually just symptoms of the anxiety that comes from being told "you have a disease which might have serious consequences, take this drug"
Unfortunately there are just not enough physiotherapists to see everyone who could benefit from their wise counsel. Fortunately two physiotherapists have distilled the knowledge from their profession and have set up an excellent service on the Internet called I Prescribe Exercise This is an excellent initiative that will allow millions to benefit
The importance of inactivity as a risk factor as significant as diet and smoking for many common conditions including heart disease, dementia and frailty is now accepted, after decades in which its importance has been underestimated. However it is only in the last two years following the publication of the report of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges titled Exercise, the Miracle Cure that its therapeutic importance has been appreciated
The medical profession is evidence based and cautious and for it to use this language was a clear sign not only that the evidence was strong but also that the medical profession needed to wake up to the fact that it had been overlooking a type of therapy that is effective, cost effective and very acceptable. A small proportion of people with long term health problems were advised and supported to become more active but only if they were fortunate enough to be referred to a rehabilitation service. The majority of people with long term conditions were prescribed only drug therapy.
The benefits of Activity Therapy
•AFFECTS THE DISEASE PROCESS DIRECTLY IN SOME CONDITIONS e.g. type 2 diabetes
•PREVENTS THE LOSS OF FITNESS AND ACCELERATED DECLINE THAT OFTEN FOLLOWS DIAGNOSIS
•REDUCES THE RISK OF OTHER LONG TERM CONDITIONS EG REDUCING THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND DEMENTIA
•MAKES PEOPLE FEEL BETTER
A great initiative was launched in 2019 by Sport England with the name We Are Undefeatable which is aimed at people with long term conditions ; have a look at their website !
iPrescribeExercise
Unfortunately, not all the medical profession get this, yet. A small proportion of the NHS work in the specialty called Rehabilitation but only a small proportion of patients are referred to Rehabilitation teams. The majority of people with long term health problems such as heart disease or depression or bronchitis , or COPD as it is known these days , just get medical treatment - drugs. These drugs are of course usually beneficial but it is now known that if they are supported by activity they will be even more effective, and because activity/exercise makes almost everyone feel better the side effects of the drugs are less troublesome. (sometimes the 'side effects' are actually just symptoms of the anxiety that comes from being told "you have a disease which might have serious consequences, take this drug"
Unfortunately there are just not enough physiotherapists to see everyone who could benefit from their wise counsel. Fortunately two physiotherapists have distilled the knowledge from their profession and have set up an excellent service on the Internet called I Prescribe Exercise This is an excellent initiative that will allow millions to benefit