PREVENTION The Prescription That You DON’T Fill at The Pharmacy
gain health benefits from exercise. However, since the development of the Exercise Is Medicine Organization (www.exerciseismedicine. org), there has been great momentum in the area of implement- ing exercise prescription as the first line of treatment for patients when appropriate. Physicians and other healthcare professionals have become more dedicated to prescribing lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise) to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and even arthritis. Growing evidence supports the fact that exercise and nutritional changes can be just as effective, if not more, in combating challenging health condi- tions. The vast physiological benefits of exercise make this one of the most powerful medications you can take. A pill prescribed for cholesterol only treats cholesterol, and many times results in other undesirable side effects. However, when using exercise, not only can it help lower cholesterol, but also reduce blood pressure, improve bone density, treat depression and help you live longer (among MANY other things)! One of the biggest barriers individuals can face that stops them from being physically active is orthopedic issues or chronic pain. Don’t let that deter you! Seek out a knowl- edgeable professional that can help to guide you in the right direc- tion and ensure your exercise program is not creating or worsening current conditions. When done correctly, exercise should NEVER make you feel worse! The key to maximizing the benefits of an exercise program is to ensure that you are taking the right dose, frequency and intensity just like any pharmaceutical prescription. This may require you to consult with an educated allied healthcare professional such as an athletic trainer, clinical exercise physiologist, or physical therapist in addition to the advice provided by your physician. It is very com- mon for physicians to be collaborating with community facilities to help execute appropriate exercise programs for their patients, which provides the patient with a sense of direction. Be sure to know the background of the professional you are working with and ask ques- tions! Just as you would investigate the credentials of your lawyer, dentist or financial advisor, you must also do your research when it comes to an exercise professional. Professionals that are working with you on an exercise program should have the following train- ing, education or licensure:
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• Minimum of a 4-year degree in any of the following areas: - Licensed Athletic Trainer/ Strength and Conditioning Specialist - Exercise Physiology - Kinesiology
hy exactly is “Exercise” considered medicine? Exercise has a difficult task of competing with the 5 seconds it takes to consume a pill, versus the 30 minutes it takes to
Of course any Physical Therapist, Occupational or Physical
Therapy assistant is always a very viable option if you have a condi- tion that warrants PT or OT.
Questions to ask prior to trusting someone with your health
• Where did you go to school? • What degree do you have? • What special certifications do you have? • How much experience do you have working with someone with my condition (if a special condition exists)?
• How long have you been doing this? Lastly, know that the benefits of exercise can be achieved by
making small changes in your life. The best part is, the less you have done, the less you have to do in order to see a benefit. It’s never too late to start exercising. Some benefits of exercise are the following:
• Help manage diabetes by teaching your body how to use the food you eat for fuel • Help reduce your blood pressure and get you off your medications • Improve bone density and reduce the risk of falling or fractures • Reduce your cholesterol and risk for a heart attack • Increase muscle and help you have more stamina • Reduce the risk for chronic pain or orthopedic injuries • Help manage symptoms of depression • Improve your energy
I would say this is a far more positive list of “Side Effects” com-
pared to what can happen if you take a medication. The best part of exercise is that if it is done correctly, there is nothing but GOOD that will come out of this medicine. So whether you are 20, 50 or 90 years old make today the day you begin taking the most impor- tant medication of your life!
Jaclyn Chadbourne, MA, CES has spent the last eight years em- ployed within the allied health profession as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. She received her master’s degree from Adelphi Uni- versity in Clinical Exercise Physiology. She was awarded a doctoral assistantship at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in the department of Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise in 2005. From 2008-2011 she was the Lead Clinical Exercise Physiologist for Maine Medical Cen- ter’s Turning Point Heart Health Program. Within the Medically Ori- ented Gym (MOG) in South Portland, she implements and oversees clinical protocols. For more information, visit
www.mainemog.com
20 Essential Living Maine ~ August 2014
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