Good Health: A Multi-System Approach (Part 2)-Physical Activity Previously in the “For Your Health” column I had outlined three areas of Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) that needed to be addressed in order to become truly well or healthy.  The areas discussed included exercise, stress management and nutrition.  This month I will expand on the first topic of exercise and how it relates to good health.  It should be noted that these are the primary areas of a therapeutic lifestyle plan and additional ones may be incorporated based on individual health care needs. People exercise for many reasons.  Very few actually do it because they truly enjoy working out, sweating and hurting for days after.  They believe that stressing the body with various types of physical activity will benefit them in some positive way.  Examples of these perceived benefits include: improved sports performance, lower  blood pressure, six pack stomach, increased stamina, weight loss, better figure, and many more.  On the other hand, people who do not exercise believe that the process of exercise is more uncomfortable than any potential benefit it may have. The bottom line based on countless research studies over the decades is that we need to move.  This is not just the usual “running around” most of us do daily, but actually setting time aside to perform sustained, vigorous physical activity.  Movement is life, and as the old cliché states: “if you don’t use it, you lose it”.  It is important to mention here that it is never too late to start.  It has been shown that people in their later years can experience increase in muscle mass, decrease in cognitive decline, and more with appropriate activity. The one benefit most people do not attribute to exercise is improving brain function.  Studies have shown that activity of muscles and joints is far more stimulating to the brain than sight, sound and other senses.  Most people can relate to this notion if they know of anyone who has been confined to bed.  Generally their mental and physical functions deteriorate quite rapidly without positive stimulation of their muscles and joints.   Studies from NASA have proven this with decreased function of astronauts in weightless environments.   When they are returned to the earth’s gravitational field and begin to exercise their bodies, their functions improve.  Other studies have shown that exercise allows for greater release of certain proteins and chemicals in the brain which help grow new connections between nerve cells and combat the effects of aging on brain function. There is debate as to which type of exercise, how long, and how much you do it will be more beneficial; but as Nike always says “Just Do It”.  With your health care providers blessing, pick activities that suit your lifestyle and do them daily.  There is nothing to be gained from being sedentary or “lazy” except for disease and poor health.  As discussed previously, sedentary lifestyle can be associated with higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, cancer and cognitive decline. To assist in your exercise endeavors you should have proper evaluation and treatment by health care providers.  Structural and neurological balance with chiropractic care, medical management of pre-existing conditions, and so on are recommended.  For special needs or higher-level activity there are computer based training programs such as the Interactive Metronome, which improves timing and coordination. Stay tuned in the coming months to explore the other areas of TLC in greater detail.  For more information or questions regarding content, please call Michael S. Trayford, DC, DACNB at 631.288.4443 or visit hamptonwellness.com.