Education

Physiotherapy is designed to improve an individual�s general health and is not solely focused on treating an existing condition. Physiotherapy aims to instil good habits to ensure patients enjoy good health in the future; this usually involves teaching patients about positive lifestyle choices and how to prevent illness and injury in the future. A few of the most important ideas are outlined below:

Diet

A healthy and balanced diet is essential for a healthy body. The body relies on the foods we eat to provide it with the nutrients, minerals and vitamins it needs to function effectively. Unfortunately, many people have a poor diet, which is rich in foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat; unsurprisingly, the risk of heart disease, strokes, cancer and diabetes are all associated with eating a poor diet and statistics relating to the prevalence of these health conditions have proved the connection between bad eating habits and poor health. Carrying excessive amounts of body weight puts huge pressure on the organs, bones and muscles; this can lead to serious health problems, which could easily be prevented by eating a healthier diet.

A healthy diet should consist of a range of foods; the bulk of the daily calorie intake should consist of complex carbohydrates and fruits and vegetables; these foods provide fuel for the body, as well as providing minerals, vitamins and nutrients. Proteins help with growth and development and tissue and cell regeneration. Fats should not be cut out of the diet but they should be monitored closely; essential fatty acids, such as those contained in oily fish, are beneficial for general health and should be consumed at least twice a week; however, saturated and trans-fats have little nutritional value and should be kept to a minimum.

Exercise

Exercise is extremely important for a healthy body; exercise helps to keep the organs healthy, the muscles toned and the joints loose. Regular exercise also helps to prevent stress, maintain a healthy body weight and boost the immune system.

Experts recommend that adults do at least three thirty minute cardiovascular sessions per week; in addition, it may be beneficial to supplement this with strength exercises and muscle toning exercises such as yoga or Pilates, for example. Exercising regularly will drastically reduce the likelihood of becoming ill and will also bring mental health and social benefits; research has consistently shown that people who exercise regularly are more likely to have a positive outlook on life and excel in both their professional and social lives.

Injury prevention

People who regularly play sport both in an amateur and professional capacity are prone to injuries; however, there are a few simple tips which can help to reduce the possibility of suffering from an injury: these are outlined below:

Warm-up

Doing a warm-up should be an essential part of any exercise regime. A warm-up should last around 20 minutes and usually consists of a combination of drills and exercises which raise the body temperature, increase circulation and warm up the muscles; this ensures the muscles are prepared for physical activity and reduces the risk of injury.

Cool down

A cool down session should be completed after any exercise session. It is extremely important because it enables the muscles to relax, reduces tension, gradually lowers body temperature and encourages waste products, such as lactic acid, to be removed from the muscles; this will prevent the onset of delayed muscular pain that often occurs the day after strenuous exercise.

Clothing and equipment

Wearing the right clothing and using equipment that is safe and suitable for the activity you are undertaking can dramatically reduce the chance of injury. In contact sports, where injuries are common, such as rugby and hockey, it is advisable to wear protective clothing such as head gear and mouth guards. Footwear is also extremely important; wearing a supportive shoe that fits properly will help to prevent injuries in the knees, feet and ankles.

Rest

Rest is essential as overtraining can lead to arrange of different health problems as well as mental fatigue. Amateur and professional athletes should ensure they get plenty of rest between training sessions to allow the body to recover fully. Overtraining can be counterproductive ad lead to a slump in performance levels.

Drinking and smoking

Heavy drinking and smoking can have serious implications for general health and can contribute to an array of very serious health conditions; drinking and smoking regularly has been linked to diseases such as liver cirrhosis and cancer, as well as contributing to heart disease, strokes and organ failure. If you feel you may have an addiction and want to cut down you should consult your GP. Cutting down can have really positive effects on your social and work life as well as your physical and mental health.

Posture

Good posture is very important for the health of the musculoskeletal system. Poor posture is the number one cause of back pain in this country; this is an increasingly common condition, as people are spending an increasing amount of time sitting down due to the increase in office-based jobs. Physiotherapy can help to correct posture as well as suggesting specific exercises to make the muscles and tissues in the back stronger.

Sleep

Many patients suffer from a lack of sleep, which can cause their general health to suffer. Sleep deprivation can be caused by a number of different factors, but is commonly associated with existing health conditions and psychological issues such as depression, anxiety and stress. Physiotherapy can help to ease pain, which can help people with health conditions to sleep better and teach patients methods to cope with stress and anxiety; massage is one of the most popular methods of reducing stress.

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