What Can Exercise Do For You?

Presented by The Physiotherapy Team

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists provide a range of interventions which include treatment,

education and advice. Physiotherapists aim to restore, maintain and improve a person’s

function and movement and therefore maximise quality of life.

In scientific studies all over the world, exercise has been shown to make the biggest difference to your overall health.

It has proven to work for many different conditions & is the best way of preventing disease and illness.

The benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability.

Exercise: The Best Medicine

Directions for use: At least 30 minutes 5 times a week

Exercise Fact 1:

Exercise lifts your mood & boosts energy levels

The Internal Medicine Cabinet

(A Gift From Nature)

Endorphins & Enkephalins

Hormones that mimic the effects of morphine

Very effective for pain control

Happy Hormones!

Exercise helps you make the most of these!

Wet & Dry Brains

The brain is full of helpful chemicals that are ready to flush down & keep you healthy.

Pain & a lack of exercise turns the tap off

Unhelpful ‘danger’ messages from

your body are now free to flow upwards.

Exercise also delivers oxygen to your tissues & helps your heart & lungs to work more

efficiently

Regular exercise turns the tap back on & reduces pain & stress levels

Exercise Fact 2:

Exercise improves joint movement and muscle strength

No matter what age you are, your muscles can always get stronger

Who exercises the most?

A

B

www.youtube.com23 and ½ hours

Exercise Fact 3:

Exercise helps you take control of aches & pains

How your brain ‘sees’ your body

This is the brain’s map of all your body parts

The quality & health of this map is dependent on how you use all of your body parts – use it (normally) or lose it!

You’ve got 3 different roads to choose from…

START EASY & BUILD SLOWLY

NO PAIN, NO GAIN DON’T CHANGE

It’s your choice!

Why should you take the slow & steady challenging

route?

Enables you to safely and slowly get going again

Allows you to see that you’re able to do more without making your pain worse

Start easy and build slowly

Small, slow steps lead to bigger, faster steps!

Need to acclimatise!

Are you

ready?

Exercise is a great way to feel better,

gain health benefits & have fun!

Aim for at least 30 minutes, 5 times a week.

Check with your doctor or health professional before

starting a new exercise programme, especially if

you haven’t exercised for a long time, have long-term health problems, or you

have any concerns

Remember, physiotherapists are here to give you a

helping hand towards better health &

wellbeing. Talk to your doctor if you would like to come

and see us.

Further learning

www.exercise-works.org

www.csp.org.uk/publications/exercise-advice-leaflets

www.youtube.com Search for…23 and a half hours

www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness

Any Questions?