Movement is any bodily movement that involves your muscles and exerts energy. This includes simple movements such as standing up and down a few times, making big circles with your arms, a short walk around the office or garden, climbing stairs, strolling with your dog, or playing with your kids.

Exercise is movement that is planned, structured and repetitive. Examples include cycling, swimming, dancing, going to the gym, bootcamps, brisk walking and running.

Fitness is the goal of exercise. It means improving the health and competence of the various systems of your body, including:

Strengthening muscles and bones
Stabilizing joints
Improving endurance, through better heart and lung health.

The more controlled load we place on our bodies with regular movement and exercise, the stronger and healthier we become. If we are consistent, we will feel improvement. Daily activities will become easier. Going up stairs won't leave us feeling out of breath. Walking will become more comfortable and invigorating, and we will be able to progress and challenge yourselves.

1. Motion is Lotion  

Our joints are designed for movement. As we move in different directions, the joint surfaces glide over each other and synovial fluid is released to lubricate the joint. If we don’t move often enough, our joints stiffen up and we will lose mobility in those directions. Regular pain free movement will slow down tissue degeneration and maintain our bodies mobility, flexibility, and strength.

There is no pain killer or treatment which can restore mobility until we actually move!

2. Joints are designed to Move

When there is movement in our joints, it encourages blood flow and brings nourishment into the area leading to efficient self-healing within the joint itself. Controlled and graded movement creates the right environment for healing, thereby speeding up the recovery process. Give your body and joints a break from sitting and make sure you move, take a lunchtime walk or fit in an exercise class during your day. 

3. Movement addresses the cause of our problem, not just the symptoms  

Pain killers, massage and other treatments may give you temporary relief, but it is only movement that can repair the tissue on a cellular level and restore optimal joint function. Many injuries are the result of years of poor movement and lifestyle factors.

Research over the years has extensively documented many health benefits and advantages from living an active lifestyle.

Regular movement can result in better posture, less joint stiffness, improved flexibility, and strength of muscles.
Exercise can strengthen bones and maintain muscle bulk, thereby lowering our risk for injuries or for developing osteopenia (reduced bone density) and osteoporosis (bone weakening due to low bone mass).
Movements, even simple ones, can reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various types of cancer as it promotes increased circulation. This enhances heart and lung health, builds stamina, and promotes blood flow to our muscles.
By boosting our mental health and self-esteem, exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Movement can boost our immune system, improve arthritis symptoms by up to 40 percent, and can improve or alleviate back pain.

movement is medicine

04.03.22

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND FITNESS?

WHAT MOVEMENT DOES FOR OUR JOINTS:

WHAT MOVEMENT DOES FOR THE SYSTEMS IN OUR BODY:

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