Motion is Lotion: Why BEAT Physical Therapists are Movement Experts?

‘Motion is lotion’ is one of my favorite sayings as a physical therapist. If you don’t move, the muscles and joints will stiffen up and inevitably cause postural-related musculoskeletal problems. For thousands of years, the human species led a nomadic hunter-gatherer existence. It was quite a simple and very active existence- follow the food. Now, with technological advances and the ever increasing number of sedentary occupations in America, the majority of humanity’s time is spent in front of a computer, TV screen, cell phone, or desk. Modern inventions like elevators, people movers in airports, cars, and escalators promote inactivity and stationary postures. More and more people have to commute to work with the average commute time in the U.S. being 26 minutes according to U.S. Census Bureau¹.   

According to the 2018 National Health Statistics Report  only 22.9% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 met the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) federal physical activity guidelines². The guidelines recommend that “adults perform 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous physical activity in addition to muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more times a week².” There have been numerous studies linking physical activity to certain health benefits – both physical and mental. In particular, exercise has been linked to decreased precedence of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes as well as linked to decreasing depression³.

Here at BEAT Physical Therapy, on a daily basis, we evaluate and treat individuals who have been negatively impacted by sedentary jobs that involve repetitive motions like typing and using a computer mouse. Poor posture due to improper work station ergonomics can lead to many musculoskeletal complaints including sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neck, back, and even jaw pain. We also tend to see patients with many of those chronic diseases. In physical therapy, we can suggest modifications to alter your work station set up to improve your posture, strengthen your core and back muscles with specific postural exercises, and provide a home exercise program including stretches for commonly tight muscles and strengthening exercises for commonly weak muscles due to poor postural positions. Remember, motion is lotion and physical therapists are the movement experts!

Call BEAT Physical Therapy at 410-884-0000 for an evaluation for your musculoskeletal complaints due to poor posture or check out our wellness program to get you moving again.