MOVEMENT

Most people understand that movement is important for your health and wellbeing, especially as you age. The problem is that when most of us think of movement, we think of exercise — a gym membership, an expensive home workout machine, or maybe a personal trainer shouting “motivational” commands.

Both integrative and functional medicine take a long-term approach to separate out that stereotype. Instead, we broaden your health plan to include movement of all kinds.

For some, that may be something as simple as going for a walk with a friend a few times a week. For others, it may mean refocusing on a hobby like gardening, or it may be more specific muscle development through focused strength training.

​

Why exercise is important

Humans are built to move, yet less than 20 percent of Americans do work that is physically demanding. Instead, “Americans Sit More Than Anytime In History And It’s Literally Killing Us,” as a headline in Forbes once put it.

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass. But muscle mass is critical in regulating glucose and maintaining insulin sensitivity, not to mention our ability to avoid injury. 

Meanwhile, maintaining aerobic activity can help prevent chronic disease and is strongly correlated with health and longevity, especially for anyone over 60. 

​

For more information, read Dr. Angelo Falcone’s post, Integrative Health, The Second Pillar: Movement, or book a free, 15-minute consultation today.