I came across a good article on AOL addressing the ongoing movement to incorporate exercise with seniors as the preferred treatment for chronic pain.  People in the rehab industries have been preaching this for years. I like to remind my senior population that “exercise is not optional” and this goes for everyone over the age of 5!

Our bodies are living, breathing organisms that require movement and activity. In simple terms, Use It Or Lose It!

It is also important to remember that pain or chronic pain is not simply a function of age.  I have patients who complain of chronic pain at 30 years old, and I have marathon runners who are 80.  To a large extent, the level of chronic pain is determined b the person’s willingness to simply get up and move!

Here are the recommended exercises by Liz Neporent of AOL:

1.  Wall Ball Slides: An excellent, no-impact way to strengthen the thighs, hips and buttocks.  These crucial areas are susceptible to early atrophy and weakness due to prolonged sitting.

2.  Bridges: Another excellent movement to strengthen and lengthen the buttocks, hips and core. Especially good for people with knee problems who may have trouble getting into the squat position.

3.  Trunk Curl-Ups: ** This is the only exercise on this list that I highly recommend people avoid.  The research is overwhelmingly opposed to this exercise as it puts tremendous stress on the lower spine.  I have included a video of a more suitable exercise, one that can be easily modified based on ones ability. Click on side bridges to view the video.  **

4.  Water Aerobics: When it comes to cardiovascular exercise the common question I get is, “What is the best cardio exercise?” And my answer is always the same, “The best cardio exercise is the one that you are willing to do!” Water aerobics are fun and they reduce a tremendous amount of stress to the spine and knees.  So if you are a fan of water aerobics, then they are the perfect cardio exercise for you.

5.  Arm Curl: Can be done in the gym, or in a water aerobics class, but the use of resistance training for the upper arms is very important, especially in cases of arthritis and chronic pain of the upper body.

For more information regarding exercises for the senior population, feel free to email me at DrBooker@CapitolRehab.com and enter “Seniors” in the subject line.

To read the complete AOL article, click (Read Full Article Here)

New research shows Americans have a long way to go toward achieving wellness based on the three pillars of health: healthy diet, responsible supplement use and regular exercise.

The “Life…supplemented My Wellness Scorecard National Study” evaluated Americans’ wellness regimens on a scale from “AlphaWELL” (those who are proactive about their health) to “OhWELL” (those who do not live healthy lifestyles). Results show three out of every four Americans fall into the category of “WannabeWELL” (44 percent) or “OhWELL” (33 percent).

“These ‘WannabeWELLs’ are on the cusp of wellness,” says William Cooper, M.D., medical director of cardiovascular surgery at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital and advisor to the “Life…supplemented” campaign. “They want to be healthier, but may not know where to start. What many Americans need are the proper tools to get healthy: simple, easy-to-understand wellness tips and health information.”

Study participants used an online assessment tool created with registered dietitians and other wellness experts that evaluates diet, exercise and supplement use, revealing some of the following trends in the American lifestyle:

• Just over half of Americans (51%) report that they do a fairly good job of avoiding processed, fatty and cholesterol-rich foods
• 27% admit they eat too much fatty food like red meat and cream cheese.
• Athough 63% try to eat two to three servings of whole grains every day, many aren’t paying attention to their intake of oils (30%) or consumption of salt (24%).
• Also, 46% don’t track how much fiber they eat
• Just 37% report to limit the salt they use in cooking and read food labels carefully to limit other sources of salt and sodium.

Americans fare better when it comes to daily or weekly habits:

• More than half of American adults take a multivitamin
• 45% report taking a dietary supplement other than a multivitamin
• 36% try to adhere to their exercise regimens at least two to three times a week
• Nearly two-thirds (61%) exercise for 30 minutes or more

The number one reason supplement users take supplements is for general health.

“Healthy diet, vitamins and other supplements, and exercise work together to form a foundation for wellness,” says Dr. Cooper. “The more education Americans have about these three pillars, the easier it will be to live healthy lifestyles.”