New Year, New Movement: Embracing Physiotherapy in Everyday Life

January is a time when many people set resolutions to improve their health and well-being. With goal setting all around the most common mistakes come from people being a little overly ambitious.

Some people with no running experience sign up for a marathon in five months. Others aim to lose several stones by spring. Many join a gym and commit to going every single day. These are rarely realistic or advisable. In this post, we’ll explore Vickie's advice for approaching a more active lifestyle and how physiotherapy can support your goals.

Approaching Lifestyle Changes: Physiotherapist Advice

The most important advice we can offer is that lifestyle change is a journey, not a destination. Many of the fitness-related injuries we see early in the year come from people who have over-trained or pushed themselves too hard.

To avoid injury, start slowly and set realistic goals. Be honest about your current fitness level. If you haven’t been active for a while, ease into exercise rather than overdoing it.

If you’re new to physical activity, begin with low-impact options such as walking, swimming, or cycling.

Gradually increase intensity and duration as your body adapts. Warm-ups and cool-downs are essential. A proper warm-up increases blood flow and prepares your muscles for activity. A cool-down helps prevent soreness and stiffness. If you're unsure of what a good warm-up entails, this is something our Physiotherapist Vickie can support you with.

Posture also plays a key role in injury prevention. Physiotherapy can help you improve your posture and movement patterns so you exercise safely and effectively.

With patience and consistency, you can achieve your healthy living goals and enjoy a more active lifestyle.

Who Can Benefit from Physiotherapy?

Home Workers - With more people working from home, poor workstation setups are causing increased back and neck pain. Physiotherapy can help aid exercises to relieve discomfort and advise on better posture and ergonomics.

Muscle or Skeletal Injuries - Physiotherapy is highly effective for sprains, strains, and fractures. Vickie will identify the best treatment methods to reduce pain, improve mobility, and strengthen affected areas.

Elderly Adults - As we age, changes in mobility, balance, and strength can affect independence. Physiotherapy can help older adults reduce fall risk, improve balance, and maintain strength and endurance.

Post-Surgery Patients - After surgery, physiotherapy supports recovery by helping patients regain strength and range of motion.

Children and Adolescents - Paediatric physiotherapy assists children with various conditions and provides parents with guidance to support their child’s development and mobility.

Benefits of Physiotherapy in Everyday Life

Physiotherapy isn’t just for athletes or those starting a fitness journey. It can benefit anyone looking to improve their physical well-being.

Pain Management - Physiotherapy can help reduce and manage chronic pain throughout the body. If you’re experiencing muscle or joint pain, seeking Vickie's advice can be beneficial.

Improved Mobility - If you struggle with stiffness or limited movement, physiotherapy can help improve flexibility, range of motion, and overall mobility.

Postural Correction - Poor posture can lead to long-term issues if left untreated. Physiotherapists can identify postural problems early and help correct them before they worsen.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function - Physiotherapy can support people with heart or lung conditions by improving breathing efficiency and overall endurance.

Looking for Personalised Physiotherapy?

Whether you’re an athlete, making lifestyle changes, recovering from injury, or dealing with discomfort from working at home, physiotherapy can help address everyday aches and pains. It’s important not to delay seeking advice for muscle or joint pain, as issues can worsen over time.

At Shield Sports Therapy, our experienced Physiotherapist Vickie can assess your condition and create a personalised treatment plan to support your recovery. Book an appointment today and take the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle.