You Can Exercise….Really by Nadine Cartwright-Lowe, M.D. (Dr Na)

It is well known that exercise is an important aspect of maintaining health.  Everyone can and should maintain some type of daily physical activity. 

Many people feel that they are unable to exercise.  This may be due to any number of physical or medical ailments. You might believe that you can’t exercise simply because at this point in time, you don’t exercise.  You might believe that you can’t exercise because you have chronic back pain.  You may believe that you can’t exercise because you are not able to stand or walk.  You may have heart disease.  You may have lung disease.  You may have chronic back pain.  You may have arthritis.  You may be undergoing cancer treatments. 

Whatever you argument or particular ailment might be, there is a genre of exercise to help you.  You can exercise to improve overall health; to improve breathing; to regain strength and endurance; to delay the progression of dementia; to improve cardiovascular health; to improve breathing; to reduce pain; to reduce back pain; to reduce the pain of arthritis; to control hypertension; to control diabetes; to reduce the effects of stress; to control insomnia.  I have had many patients who, starting with “baby steps”, have reduced back pain and other types of arthritis by starting a walking program.  I have had many patients who have been able to reduce the amount of daily medications to control diabetes and/or hypertension by starting a moderate walking program. 

Choose the right type of exercise for your current physical condition and for the type of ailment you are trying to control.  For some, this may mean walking in place.  It may mean walking until you reach the next bench at the local mall or along the track. This may mean walking to your mailbox more than once a day.  Make sure you are safe and in an environment that is safe, wherever you decide to walk. 

Begin slowly if you haven’t been active for a while.  Exercise at your pace.  You may need to perform chair-level exercises.  Pick the right exercise for you.  Discuss it with your doctor.  Your doctor may recommend specific tests before you are cleared to begin an exercise program.  You may need guidance from a physical therapist and/or an occupational therapist to develop the safest and most effective exercise program for you.  Yoga may be the best exercise for you.  If you have heart disease or lung disease there are exercises which are safe, tailored for your condition and can be utilized to ultimately improve your condition and allow you to be more functional.  Discuss these specialized programs with your doctor who can refer you to the most appropriate facility to reach these goals.

Exercise to the best of your ability but not to the point of injury.  Most of all, have fun when you exercise.  But beware.  Playing extreme Frisbee or rollerblading may look like fun, and indeed are great forms of exercise, but these may not be the best exercises for you and your condition. Choose what is best for you and your condition.  Be safe, get moving and be happy!

Dr. Nadine Cartwright-Lowe is the founder, lead health coach and lifestyle advisor at Personal Lifestyle Advisors:  (www.personallifestyleadvisors.com). Offices in Woodbridge: (203) 387-1574 and Greenwich: (203) 542-7288, Manhattan: (212) 829-4341.

Dr. Cartwright-Lowe received a B.A. in Biology from Brown University and a M.D. from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.  She participated in medical research in biomechanics and orthopedics for Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and completed specialty training in internal medicine at St. Vincent's Medical Center/Yale University School of Medicine.  She is the lead medical school admissions advisor at  Medical School Admissions Advisors (www.medschooladmissionsadvisors.com).   She is also involved in assisting medical students and graduates in medical internships and residency placements:  Residency Admissions Advisors(www.residencyadmissionsadvisors.com).

Dr. Cartwright-Lowe’s medical, clinical and educational experiences are quite extensive.  She is a former staff physician at the Connecticut Veteran Affairs Healthcare System and St. Vincent’s Medical Center’s Immediate Health Care, former assistant professor at University of Connecticut School of Medicine, former Medical Director of School Sister of Notre Dame-Lourdes Health Care, former staff physician at Gaylord Hospital, president and founder of Center for Personal Health, P.C. a complementary, alternative and internal medicine practice which emphasized health through prevention, healthy diet, exercise, natural practices, and health education.