by guest author Dr. Philip Finemore DPT, PT
Image credit: ID 310688881 | Healthy Body © Volodymyr Melnyk | Dreamstime.com
Introducing Dr. Philip Finemore, DPT, PT, Cert DN, Cert VNS.
Dr. Finemore, received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology in 2013 & his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015 from Husson University in Bangor, ME. Dr. Finemore has spent the last 5 years treating a variety of neurological & musculoskeletal conditions in outpatient orthopedic clinics in Southern Maine.
It’s an honor and privilege to have Dr. Finemore’s input on this crucial energy booster: Movement. Let’s dive straight into what the expert has to say.
Improving energy levels has become a big focus in the health and wellness space.
Everyone is looking for ways to improve their efficiency and make the most out of their time. Honestly, it is great to see people recognizing that improving multiple areas of health and wellness has a direct effect on energy levels so we don’t just simply rely on caffeine and grit to get the job done! However, knowing where to start and where to spend the energy you do have on improving health and wellness can be a challenge. Especially when we talk about the importance of exercise and its positive effect on energy levels.
So where do we start?
First and foremost, it is a proven fact that regular exercise improves our overall energy levels. Blood flow, cardiovascular health, feel good endorphins and hormones all improve when we complete regular physical activity at least 3 days a week for 30 minutes. I could site a huge amount of literature that supports this and we could dive into each and every part of this, but I think most of us have felt this before. Even if we haven’t been consistent with it.
We also have felt the opposite. That feeling we get when we haven’t been moving our body enough (or at all) and it seems like the energy we have is just enough to get the bare minimum done. We all are our own research study on this. The thing I see most people struggle with (myself included) is getting started.
That could be because their energy levels are so tapped out they can’t fathom exercising. It could be that they have nagging injuries or an injury history that makes them hesitant to workout. It may be that they just don’t know how to work out. Often, it’s a little of each.
My best advice to anyone who is looking to use exercise to improve their energy levels is to simply start, but do so with some guidance. I am a physical therapist (PT) who has a passion for using my skillset to not only treat pain and injury from neurological and musculoskeletal causes, but also to prevent it in the first place.
I see a lot of people who are starting to focus on their health and wellness more. Oftentimes they are encountering pain while starting this journey or are looking to prevent it from derailing their progress in the first place. A lot of these people also have a similar story. They feel lethargic, weak, and they worry about how their body will hold up to exercising, something they know they need to do to achieve their health and wellness goals.
A Physical Therapist’s Role
My role is to evaluate their body to ensure there aren’t imbalances in their mobility, stability, strength, and endurance that could put more stress on a certain area that could cause them pain (or is causing them pain).
As I mentioned before, as little as 30 minutes 3-5 days a week can improve so many aspects of our health and boost energy. However, to lose weight or gain significant strength and cardiovascular endurance, that frequency isn’t enough. It’s a great place to start to gain momentum for more, but the body needs to be able to handle more intensity to achieve higher levels of energy and wellness.
Starting with a PT may or may not be the best way for anyone to begin, but the clientele I work with who also see a personal trainer and other providers like chiropractors and massage therapists, all get more results out of each provider faster.
PT, as I practice it, is designed to help build a foundation of optimal movement that doesn’t put excessive stress through any one area of the body. Progressing or starting an exercise program of any kind (walking, running, strength training, yoga, etc.) with a better foundation will allow the body to move without compensation interfering with the desired results.
The ultimate goal when it comes to improving our energy levels through optimal health and wellness for many is to make it as well rounded as possible.
We all have to start somewhere and it’s important to remember that making small changes consistently over time is the key to success. Biting off more than we can chew or taking steps that are simply too big will certainly derail our progress.
CONCLUSION:
Exercise is a must to achieve most health and wellness goals. So starting to spend your energy here on your journey to gaining more energy is such a great idea! The key is to make sure you do so with some guidance and be ok with where you have to start to avoid hurting yourself. If you do all that, you are sure to benefit from the energy gaining properties of regular exercise!
Dr. Philip Finemore, DPT, PT
Did you miss Energy Booster 1 – Sunlight? Click here to read it.
What form of physical movement do you like best? Leave a comment.
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