post wp-admin edit 25291
Physiotherapy

STAYING MOBILE, HEALTHY & ACTIVE. HOW YOGA, PILATES & PHYSIO CAN LEAD TO A MORE FULFILLING LIFE

Published November 20, 2020

Keeping active and staying fit doesn’t mean running marathons every week. It doesn’t need to involve a commitment to a team sport or a strict regime. A busy modern lifestyle can often feel like it’s eating into exercise time, not to mention personal time. The good news is that physical fitness systems like yoga and Pilates are time efficient and when complemented by expert physio treatment, can make a huge difference to your overall well being.

Fitness On Your Terms

With a huge range of online classes to choose from, yoga and Pilates have never been more accessible. If you crave structure and need peer motivation, face to face yoga classes are never far away. By subscribing to a weekly or even daily class online, you may feel more inclined to participate, but always at a time that suits you. It can take out the stress of organising your day around fixed class times and is much more flexible when it comes to a busy or changing work-load.

What’s Better For Me: Physiotherapy Vs Yoga

Having your weekly yoga routine complemented by expert physio treatment is highly recommended. If you’re looking to balance your exercise as well as touch base with how you are progressing, the combination is most sensible. While yoga and Pilates may be the bedrock of your fitness routine, having individualised physio attention along the way will always be better for your body. If you’re suffering from chronic pain or reduced mobility, a physio will be able to recommend certain exercises and treatment that can be incorporated into any yoga or Pilates regime.

How Often Should I See A Physio If I’m Doing Yoga Or Pilates Regularly

This depends on your lifestyle, how often you choose to exercise and any pre-existing symptoms. For those exercising frequently and at a high level of intensity, a visit to the physio is more important to have in the schedule. If you have some pain that you’re trying to work through, the physio should also be involved. Perhaps your job involves heavy lifting, physically demanding activities or long hours, this can all have a detrimental effect on one’s overall health. Having an expert’s opinion and guidance on certain exercise routines can be important when you are pushing towards a certain fitness goal or significantly changing your lifestyle.

History of injury, bone health, and joint pain can indicate how often a physio visit might be recommended. Taking the time to recognise symptoms and any tight muscles or pain is an important part of working with an expert.

Holistic Approach: The New Mainstream

Modern science points towards a balanced, active, and holistic lifestyle as being the most healthy way of living. This means engaging in activities that keep us moving, but at the same time remaining conscious about how we are moving and what this is doing to our body. Being in touch with how your body reacts to certain environments as well as certain exercises or routines will be better for your body and overall health. With this approach, saying no to certain activities and prioritising others will become important.

Keep It Simple

Sometimes increasing time spent on the yoga mat can become expensive in addition to the cost of much-needed time off. However, staying active and keeping your mobility up can be easy and inexpensive. It just needs a bit of creativity. If you’re driving around the corner to work – consider riding a bike. If your lunch-breaks are a bit flexible – go for a short jog. Even if the amount of exercise is not as much as you would like, something done regularly is beneficial. Look at your day and consider what is possible and when. Keep it simple!

Creating The Perfect Health Plan

Developing a good routine and then communicating any concerns to your health professional is a good start. Getting feedback, optimising your routine, and then balancing quality with quantity is key in making it work long-term. Being hard on yourself because you missed a class is not healthy or sustainable; being honest with yourself and maintaining a healthy balance is more helpful. Maintaining a balance between exercise, work, and personal life is crucial. When any one of these is out of balance, it negatively affects the others. Speaking to a professional about how to get started is easy. Knowing you’re supported from the get-go can make all the difference when it comes to booking in that first Pilates class or making a major change in your lifestyle.

Make It Work For You

Getting started on the perfect health plan can be hard. But since you’re here, it means you care. When looking for yoga classes or Pilates, make sure to choose a class that suits your level of expertise and physical condition. Integrity Physio offers a personalised approach that complements your lifestyle and is specifically aimed at improving your exercise tolerance and mobility. This hand-in-hand approach is designed to optimise muscle performance and joint mobility through targeted treatments including manual therapy Clinical Pilates and specific exercise rehab plans. Your physio will take into account your specific situation and set of circumstances so you can achieve a more effective exercise routine.

Leslie Trigg

Director & Senior Physiotherapist at Integrity Physiotherapy Leslie Trigg, has over 15 years of experience in clinical practice. He has graduated with a degree in Human Biology (Anatomy and Physiology) from Curtin University in 2001 and later completed a Masters of Physiotherapy in 2007. He has tremendous experience in musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, neurosurgical and sports physiotherapy. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, listening to music and spending time with his family.