Greetings

Bedford-Sackville Physiotherapy Clinic is celebrating our

30th Anniversary!

Open House : Monday June 23rd at 6pm

Attend a FREE seminar about Nordic Pole Walking

What is Nordic Pole Walking?

Europe’s highly popular fitness regime has Nova Scotians turning to Nordic Pole Walking for increased health and disease reduction. While most of us do it without thinking, simply adding some poles to your walking regime can actually make a significant impact to your health, wellness, disease control and stabilization. Nordic Pole Walking Nova Scotia shows people how to use the low-impact, low-cost and Nordic Poles regime to improve their health.

 

This introductory class for adults will train you to Nordic Pole Walk properly for the best possible enjoyment and benefit.

~  We will have loaner poles for those who do not have their own.

~  All you need is sneakers and adequate dress for the weather as we will be both inside and outside.

~  Nationally certified Nordic Pole Walking Instructors Esther and Bill VanGorder will lead this session.

~  If you own poles and would like to learn how to use them more effectively, bring them along.

~  Top quality Nordixx Poles will be available to purchase often at a lower cost than local stores. For information on these poles see http://nordicwalkingnovascotia.ca/supplies.htm  

Studies show that Pole Walking:

• Burns up to 67 % more calories than exercise walking without the poles

• Increases heart and cardiovascular training to 25 %

• Incorporates over 90 % of all body muscles

• Diabetes Type 2 – can improve diabetes metabolism, reduce insulin resistance and reduce medication drastically within three months

• Can reduce high blood pressure drastically (by 18mmHg) within 8 weeks

• Eliminates back, shoulder and neck pain

• Less impact on hip, knee and foot joints (about 26 %)

• Increases production of “positive” hormones

• Supports stress management and mental disorders

• Develops upright body posture

Nordic Pole Walking is not that new to Nova Scotia but the idea of using poles for fitness seems superfluous to some until they discover it’s simply a better way to walk. Nordic Pole Walking is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities around the globe. 

We have recently added a new cervical spine anatomy video on our website.  Click here to visit our cervical spine anatomy article and click play on the player to view the new video. 

Gearing up for summer activities

Like many people you may find youself more active in the Spring and Summer.  

Regular exercise is highly recommended for enhancing or maintaining proper health and many individuals are preparing to return to outdoor activities. However, it is important to properly stretch the muscles before engaging in these types of recreational activities and this is especially vital for people who are unfamiliar with the sport. Failing to properly warm-up and stretch before participating in a sporting event may lead to painful and unnecessary injuries. Reports indicate that stretching before physical activity or engaging in strength training has the potential to reduce the risk of soreness as well as the risk of injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

 In addition, joints that have previously been injured can be protected from further injury by wearing supportive gear such as bands or flexible braces, or by enrolling in specific training programs prior to participating in a sport. There are also numerous benefits that are associated with continuing to be physically active after an injury, especially as we get older.

 Additional benefits of regular physical activity include:

• Enhanced lung function
• Reduced risk of heart diseaseIncreased energy and endurance
• Mood enhancement
• Lowered cholesterol, lowered blood pressure
• A reduction in sleep disturbances
• The reduction of depression, anxiety symptoms and chronic pain
• A reduced risk of falling and enhanced cognitive function in the elderly
• Weight loss and weight control once a desired weight has been achieved
• A reduced occurrence of strokes and certain cancers (e.g. colon, breast cancer)

If you are concerned about a previous injury or how to avoid injuries, our physiotherapists would be happy to assess your current physical state and create a program tailored specifically to your needs and goals. Call Bedford-Sackville Physiotherapy Clinic Inc. to make an appointment or to ask any questions you may have.

Click here to visit our sports resource centre for more information on avoiding injuries

From the team at Bedford-Sackville Physiotherapy Clinic Inc!

References

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2. Lauersen JB, Bertelsen DM, Andersen LB. The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Br J Sports Med. 2013 (in press).

3. Leppänen M, Aaltonen S, Parkkari J, Heinonen A, Kujala UM. Interventions to prevent sports related injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sports Med. 2013 (in press).

4. Guimarães GV, Ciolac EG. Physical activity: practice this idea. Am J Cardiovasc Dis. 2014; 4(1):31-33.

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6. Patel AV, Bernstein L, Deka A, Feigelson HS, Campbell PT, Gapstur SM, Colditz GA, Thun MJ. Leisure Time Spent Sitting in Relation to Total Mortality in a Prospective Cohort of US Adults. Am J Epidemiol. 2010; 172(4): 419-429.

7. Warren TY, Barry V, Hooker SP, Sui X, Church TS, Blair SN. Sedentary behaviors increase risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in men. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010;  42(5): 879-885.

8. Dowd AJ, Schmader T, Sylvester BD, Jung ME, Zumbo BD, Martin LJ, Beauchamp MR. Effects of social belonging and task framing on exercise cognitions and behavior. J Sport Exerc Psychol. 2014; 36(1): 80-92.

9. Volaklis KA, Halle M, Tokmakidis SP. Exercise in the prevention and rehabilitation of breast cancer. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2013; 125(11-12): 297-301.

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