Laughter used to be the best medicine, but given the rise in obesity, exercise has replaced it.
In a national initiative designed to improve the health and well-being of our nation, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association have teamed up to promote the idea that “Exercise is Medicine.”
Physicians and other healthcare providers are encouraged to prescribe regular physical activity. Patients are encouraged to have conversations with their doctors about how to improve their health and fitness. Citizens are encouraged to support policymakers who advocate an emphasis on fitness and exercise.
The list of supporting organizations of “Exercise is Medicine” is impressive, from the American Academy of Family Practitioners to the President’s Council on Fitness and Sports.
When my husband, Dick, returned home from his annual follow-up visit with Dr. Christine Newsom, his physician, he had some unexpected news. Based on his test results, Dick’s blood sugar was slightly elevated and he needed to lose weight. Instead of a drug, however, Dr. Newsom prescribed aerobic exercises to speed up his metabolism, burn calories and increase his heart rate to strengthen the heart muscle. She also prescribed a weight loss of six pounds in three months.
Dr. Newsom says: "I tell my patients who need it that they should consider exercise just like a medication in their medication tray and they shouldn't miss it anymore than they would skip one of the pills in their tray."
Dick plays tennis twice a week and goes to a flexibility class three days a week. Now, Dr. Newsom says, he must add an aerobic activity.
Instead of a theoretical national movement, the “Exercise is Medicine” program became a reality at a practical level. I’m delighted that Dick has the good fortune to have a physician who insists that he modify his lifestyle in order to enhance his health.
Do you think this is an isolated incident, or are similar conversations occurring in doctors’ offices everywhere? I hope the latter is the case. What about you?
I also think that exercise is the best medicines. With the exercise people can be healthy and fit. Exercise is good for our health.
Posted by: administrative assistant courses | July 26, 2011 at 04:40 AM