In reply to the frequently asked question “How much exercise should I be doing?” North London Chiropractor Dylan Paydar tends to first explain that there are of course different types of exercises. There are stretching exercises good for tight muscles and joints, strengthening exercises good for over mobile joints and for preventing future problems as well as cardiovascular exercise, which as the name suggests are good for the heart.
Since chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession with an interest in the health and wellness of the whole person as well as the area of complaint, it is important for a chiropractor to understand the patient’s lifestyle and to be able to advise them accordingly.
The amount of exercise one should do is of course dependant upon ones age and level of physical fitness. People are often surprised to find out that someone between the age of 19 and 64 who is in good health should be doing the following amount of exercise as recommended by the NHS.
- At least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and
- Muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
As well as helping your muscles joints and heart a new study indicates exercise may also be a factor in reducing Alzheimer’s disease, and colon cancer by a staggering 20%!
However, now we see how much exercise we should be doing, chiropractic may be able to help you achieve your exercise goals. Moreover, you would be surprised just how many professional athletes and sportspeople include chiropractic care in their training regimes.
A future post will be about Usain Bolt, the world-class sprinter, Olympic gold medallist and the fastest man on Earth and his use of chiropractic.
In essence, people should be looking at doing at least two types of exercise a week; aerobic and muscle-strengthening. It can take time and effort but it is an investment in your future health. For those struggling to get going with exercise even small things can help. For example getting off the tube or bus a stop or two earlier and walking the rest of the way. Walking up the stairs rather than taking the lift at home or work on a routine basis could even help prevent a heart attack later on in life.
For many the recommendations will be in excess of what they are currently doing – and not just in the case of older people!
At our North London chiropractic clinic in Muswell Hill, we are happy to help people achieve their sporting ambitions or exercise goals – no matter what stage they are at.
You can contact us on 020 8442 0008 or visit our website at https://chiropractornorthlondon.co.uk/.
Further Reading:
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults.aspx.
Dylan Paydar at Muswell Hill Chiropractic Clinic
Committed to improving the health and well-being of people in North London
Including Muswell Hill, Finchley, Highgate, Crouch End and Southgate