{"id":28361,"date":"2021-01-22T08:25:52","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T16:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/?p=28361"},"modified":"2022-01-05T10:52:51","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T18:52:51","slug":"movement-as-medicine-for-special-health-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/movement-as-medicine-for-special-health-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Movement as \u2018Medicine\u2019 for Special Health Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not all health conditions are equal in essence. Some are more challenging than others in their symptoms, and in recovery. Not only can these conditions be long drawn and debilitating, posing substantial impediments to daily performance and independent functioning, but may require prolonged specialized treatments and intensive care as well. This has a negative impact beyond just physical wellbeing. It also corrodes mental health and resilience towards overcoming the disease\/ condition in particular, and in living a fuller life in general. So how about exploring empowering tools, in addition to the medical, that aid better quality- of-life outcomes?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Can <\/span>Movement<\/b> be one such tool?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a steadily growing body of evidence to suggest it can be, and that it <\/span>should<\/i><\/b> be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Movement is motion, flux, change\u2026It\u2019s both an \u2018act\u2019 and a \u2018process\u2019 of moving from one position to another. It is locomotive in nature, but when viewed fundamentally, it is the essence and sign of life. It is also through movement we demonstrate command over our body. Our ability to move is what keeps us agile, independent and in a commanding position to get where we chose to go. So there is no denying the power of movement. Subconscious as most of daily movements may be, the act of moving freely makes us feel in control. Likewise, when movement is compromised, it generates frustration and eventually perhaps, depression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Given this truth, now imagine using Movement consciously as medicine \u2013to reclaim control of the body and mind to overcome present limitations. It becomes a positive sub goal contributing to the larger one of recovery and improving health. Even in conditions that impact movement directly \u2013 like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson etc.-movement therapy\/ exercise has been shown to produce positive outcomes. There is increasing evidence to suggest that exercise\/movement plays an important role in Cancer (during treatment and post) in augmenting coping and superior recovery. Movement is being successfully used to assist in mental health conditions as well, across the spectrum. From depression to severe autism, using movement\/exercise as a therapeutic tool has consistently displayed favorable results.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.” <\/i><\/b>– Carol Welch-Baril, Neuromuscular Therapist<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Mindful of unique challenges posed by special health conditions, a few points could help in using \u2018Movement-as-medicine\u2019 effectively:<\/span><\/p>\n