The Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association provides leadership to the physiotherapy profession, fosters excellence in practice, education, and research, and promotes high standards of health in Saskatchewan.

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National Physiotherapy Month - April 22 to May 19, 2008

FIT TO A TEE
Get in the Swing with National Physiotherapy Month!

WEED OUT THE SORENESS
Celebrating Health & Gardening

GET ON YOUR FEET!
30 Minutes of Walking Each Day Has Health Benefits

Physiotherapists Concerned with Effects of Inactivity in Youth and Adults

Canadian physiotherapists are concerned about the damaging effects of physical inactivity among our youth and adult populations, and are ready to take action, offer leadership and provide assistance. During National Physiotherapy Month the Canadian Physiotherapy Assocation (CPA) will be actively highlighting common mobility problems that are impeding health and preventing Canadians from participating fully in physical pursuits and leisure activities.

Physiotherapists recognize inactivity as a growing and reversible problem. One-third of youth and adults in Canada have one or more chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Obesity is also noteworthy in this context. Some 23% of Canadian adults are clinically obese and 59% overweight. Among youth, obesity rates are rising at an even more alarming rate. Inactivity is a factor in each of these conditions and physiotherapists are determined to help.

“Level of physical activity is, by and large, a modifiable risk factor that can directly improve chronic health outcomes and create a healthier society,” says Dr. Michel Landry, President of the Canadian Physiotherapy Assocation. “Physiotherapists are primary health professionals that are ready, willing and able to address physical inactivity with prescribed therapeutic exercise regimens for people across the health care continuum.”

CPA encourages all Canadians to take a personal inventory. The first step toward better health is recognizing the problem. Examples of common problems that can contribute to physical inactivity include:

• Pain following injury or as the result of a chronic health condition
• Restricted mobility or range of motion resulting from an injury or a chronic health condition
• Muscle weakness or decreased endurance limiting daily activities or sport
• Overall deteriorating functional capacity

If any one of these examples describes your physical state, your physiotherapist can help.

Physiotherapists prescribe therapeutic exercises

Even though you may have been inactive for a long time due to injury or illness, therapeutic exercises prescribed by a physiotherapists can help to:

• Improve muscle performance and mobility
• Improve oxygen uptake
• Improve strength and functional activity levels that lead to a faster return to work
• Improve cardiac function and quality of life

Put your best foot forward

“There’s no time like the present to get started on the path to better health by integrating exercise into your daily activities,” says Landry. “Achieving a healthy lifestyle is not a singular event, rather it is life long process of incremental steps which includes good nutrition, a positive work/life balance, and regular exercise.”