Exercise is Medicine
Posted on October 29, 2008
Yesterday I read a post called Exercise is Good Medicine from Carole Carson’s blog. She talks about the “Exercise is Medicine” campaign which calls on doctors to “assess and review every patient’s physical activity program at every visit.”
I hadn’t heard about the Exercise is Medicine movement but I was excited to learn about it. It comes from the American College of Sports Medicine and the Americal Medical Association. Here’s an excerpt from a letter on their site addressed to healthcare professionals:
“The Exercise is MedicineTM initiative is a shared vision of ACSM and AMA, designed to help improve the health and well-being of our nation through a regular physical activity prescription from doctors and other healthcare providers.
We are calling on healthcare organizations, physicians and other professionals, regardless of specialty, to assess, to advocate for, and to review every patient’s physical activity program during every comprehensive visit.”
Here’s an excerpt from a press release from the AMA about the initiative:
“Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem in this country and contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, depression and anxiety, arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition to improving a patient’s overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in the treatment and prevention of chronic disease.”
Hopefully the good word spreads about exercise and how it can sometimes be the best medicine for us. Check out Exercise is Medicine and see what you can do to spread the exercise love.
Get active today!
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Exercise is Medicine: http://tinyurl.com/575cvy
Hi Blake, I just heard about this campaign too. Yeah, it’s time for us to get up from our sofa, and be more active. Exercise is medicine! ^_^
[...] News category and has 0 Comments so far. I just knew about this campaign when i was blogwalking to Blake’s blog. It’s a nice quote, isn’t it? “Exercise is medicine”. If you want to know [...]
This is the first time I heard of the movement. That would be great. I’ve been reading too many stories of doctors who are afraid of recommending dietary and exercise advice for patients because too many of us are getting offended.
asithi’s last blog post..3 Steps to Eating Healthy at a Restaurant
Nice post Blake…makes sense to me!
M’s last blog post..Struggles – embrace them!
After posting the article, “Exercise is Good Medicine,” I received a note from Dr. James Hubbard who publishes My Family Doctor .
Dr. Hubbard affirms that exercise is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. Hearing from you, Dr. Hubbard and others assures me that many of us (even though we may never meet) are working in partnership to create healthier and more fit families and friends in communities throughout the country. My best to you.
Carole Carson, Author
From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction
I fully support exercise is medicine! I think doctors need to inform patients about what is available to help them be healthy and fit.
Nice site, Blake!
Hi Blake,
This is such a great idea, I hadn’t heard of it either. I wonder if the UK or Australia would adopt a similar line?
I like how health care professionals have access to various resources on the website, particularly assessing the patients readiness to change (so important), and also writing a prescription for exercise…what a wonderful idea!
Mel T’s last blog post..15 Rapid-fire Healthy Snacks George Will Buy You
I went to a doctor’s visit a couple of weeks ago and I feel so ashamed when she asked me how often I exercise. Honestly I have not done it for a long time, although there is a great gym in my building. So I decided to start again with two exercise per week. Our building offers a Yoga class once a week, then I just need to go to the gym on another day! My job is a real estate agent, that helps me to walk around a lot, I tried not to take cab during showings, maybe this can be count half a time:)
Chicago Realtor´s last blog post..Cheapest studio at the 400 E Randolph
In addition to improving a patient’s overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in the treatment and prevention of chronic disease.”
I couldn’t agree more. I am a teacher and I always try to get this message across as part of a diet or health lesson. So many kids have no idea and think of exercise as something only for “sports people”. They will learn, (hopefully)
Art Brighton´s last blog post..Brighton Yoga
Very interesting topic, can you post some further information on this subject.
Very interesting topic, can you post some further information on this subject.