Is Walking Enough Exercise?

There are seasons in your life when a 15-minute walk is the most you can commit to for an exercise routine, and that is enough. 
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Walking increases your cardiovascular fitness by increasing your heart rate. Fifteen minutes of activity will lower your risk of death, decrease your chance of stroke, and reduce the risk of heart attacks. Walking is essential for bone strengthening. If you've recently had surgery, walking should be part of your recovery plan as it will increase your functionality and allow blood flow to reach the areas of your body that need to heal. If you experience chronic conditions like Arthritis, regular walks can improve joint pain and stiffness, reduce inflammation and reduce bone density loss. 

If walking is difficult and you are missing out on its benefits, let us help you. When you come to see one of our physical therapists, we will assess your gait. You could be experiencing a gait dysfunction which is a change in your normal walking pattern.  Gait dysfunctions are the most common cause of falls in older adults.  Gait is your pattern of walking, and it involves balance and coordination of muscles. We are experts at identifying root causes of gait dysfunction. We will design a treatment plan together with you that will improve your quality of life. Gait training helps strengthen your muscles and joints, improve your balance and posture, build endurance, develop muscle memory, lower the risk of falls and increase mobility. 

Give us a call at 520-459-1386 to improve your gait so you can reap all the rewards of 15 minutes of walking.