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Have Fun and Get in Shape!

Happy Independence Day! This summer try to think of your pleasure puddle in different light…a health spa! It may very well be the exercise of choice for many people. Many have discovered the benefits of moving their limbs in the warm water of a home pool following knee or shoulder surgery. Also, long distance runners who often look for cross training methods without joint compression and arthritis sufferers who are often limited in exercise choices by joint pain from compressive forces when bearing weight, can enjoy the buoyancy effects of  water. These are good examples of the benefits or water exercise…aerobic and resistive exercise without joint compression.  

Exercise and Arthritis

Most doctors recommend some form of exercise with arthritis. Pain and fatigue are the most limiting factors for the person with arthritis. Pool exercise may be the answer. With proper technique, adequate rest periods, appropriate resistance and repetitions, water exercise can be very effective.

Benefits of Water Exercise:

Getting Started

  1. Start Slowly – Don’t Overdo it
    • 5-10 minutes and repetitions first time and add 2-3 minutes/repetitions each week
    • Long Term Goal: 20 – 40 minutes per session / 3-4 times per week
  2. Submerge The Body Part
    • That you want to exercise into the water and move it slowly
  3. Complete The Range of Motion
    • Initially 5 times, then 10-15-20-30 times
  4. Assess
    • Determine if you have pain 3-4 hours after you exercise or into the next day. If so, you overdid it and make adjustments next time by decreasing repetitions, speed, amount and intensity of exercise.
  5. Warm-Up
    • Make sure you warm up slowly before the exercise with slow and easy movements
  6. Advance Slowly
    • By adding webbed gloves, weighted boots, and buoyant barbells to increase the resistance.
  7. Exercises – standing in shallow end of pool
    • Heel Raises – push toes down and heel up
    • Toe Raises – lift toes up and heel down
    • Leg Kicks – extend leg up and down
    • Hip Hike – raise knee up 4-6 inches and down
    • Leg Squeeze – squeeze knees together and apart
    • Leg Curl – bend knee
    • Torso Twist – slowly turn arms/torso to right, then to left
    • Shoulder Forward and Backward – like paddling a boat
    • Shoulder Out and In – like a bird flying
    • Bend Elbow Up and Down

Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.     

NEXT MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!”  

This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com

Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at GCSOM.

For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles visit: www.mackareyphysicaltherapy.com/forum

Research shows, those who prepare in advance for their physician visits, have more satisfaction than those who just show up for their appointment. Moreover, for patients seeing multiple physicians, such as specialists, often communication is poor and your participation in the process can be invaluable. There are things you can do to prepare for your physician visits:

  • 1. Make a Checklist:
    • Fill out a detailed checklist before the visit that includes health issues, concerns and questions. This is especially important if you are seeing more than one physician specialists since your last visit and have had a change in health or prescribed medication.
    • Example: when visiting your primary care physician for the first time in several months you notice that you have seen two specialists in between. First, you saw a cardiologist for high blood pressure and were put on a blood pressure medication and a blood thinner. Second, you went to an orthopedist for knee pain from osteoarthritis and were prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug for pain and inflammation. With proper preparation, such as keeping a hand-written or electronic file medical log or journal, sharing this information with your family physician may be critical. The anti-inflammatory drug may not be safe when taken with the blood thinner and if communication between three physicians did not take place, it is important for you to assist in the process.
    • List any changes in your body (weight loss), medications (daily aspirin prescribed by cardiac specialist) or daily function (unable to walk 1 block without shortness of breath) since your last visit.
  • 2. Insurance Information:
    • Don’t forget to bring your health insurance cards, both primary and secondary.
  • 3. Medication List:
    • List: type of medication, date prescribed, who prescribed it, and dosage. Be sure to include over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, multivitamins and herbals.
  • 4. Pharmacy Information:
    • The name, address and phone number of your preferred pharmacy will be necessary if medications are prescribed.
  • 5. Symptom List:
    • Make a list of symptoms that you want to tell your physician. For example; weight loss, shortness of breath, weakness or loss of voice, or difficulty sleeping.
  • 6. Be Honest:
    • It is important that your physician has complete and accurate information. For example, if you are having anxiety and you are drinking alcohol regularly, it can have serious implications if an anti-anxiety medication is prescribed.
    • Don’t be embarrassed…chances are you are not the only one. For example, if you are using a drug prescribed by another physician for erectile dysfunction, it is important for to share this with your family physician as it may impact the use of other treatments or drugs and may be related to new symptoms or problems you are experiencing.
  • 7. Keep a Medical Journal:
    • A medical journal can be kept in a written log or electronic file. It should be chronological and include dates of medical visits, including specialists, tests, medications, vaccinations, etc. After each visit with a medical professional, enter the information before your forget the details. Also, include health insurance and supplemental insurance information.
  • 8. Bring a Family Member or Friend:
    •  A friend or family member can serve as your eyes and ears to remember to ask questions and follow orders that you might forget. They can help you take notes and organize papers and instructions.
    • If you do not speak English fluently, bring a family member, friend or interpreter to assist you. If you do not have an interpreter, you can usually prearrange for one in advance with your doctor’s office.
  • 9. Bring Your  Glasses and Hearing Aid:
    • If you require glasses and a hearing aid, be sure to wear them for your visit. It will help insure better communication with your doctor.
  •  10. Silence Your Cell Phone:
    • This simple courtesy will go a long way to improve the quality of the visit for you and others.

Remember, your health is too important to rely on memory for accuracy…so be a proactive participant. With technology, it has never been easier to keep a medical journal to improve accuracy and communication. There are several “Apps” such as “mymedicalapp.com” that allow you to do this on your phone, tablet or lap-top computer and offer privacy code features.

SOURCES: www.webmd.com; National Institutes of Health – National Institute on Aging “A Guide for Older People - Talking With Your Doctor”

This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician.

For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com

Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at GCSOM.

For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles visit: http://www.mackareyphysicaltherapy.com/forum

Tomorrow is the first day of summer! The days are longer and sun stronger! Local dermatologist, Dr. Ted Stampien, Jr. can be seen driving his convertible with so much protection from the sun; he may as well have the top UP (bucket hat, sun block 50, long sleeves)! He joked that even the most vigilant dermatologists allow for a little fun in the sun. However, he emphasizes that there is no such thing as a HEALTHY tan.

While protection from the sun is very important, Dr. Stampien feels that too much time indoors playing computer games and watching television, can lead to potential problems from lack of exposure to the sun. One must use good judgment and have balance as the potential exists for Vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sun exposure. This problem may be true for individuals who use too much protection or spend most of their day indoors due to occupation or poor health. Therefore, it will be the purpose of this column to discuss the importance of Vitamin D for health and wellness.

What is Vitamin D

Vitamin D, a fat soluble vitamin, is found in food and can be made by your body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The liver and kidney help convert Vitamin D to its active form. Vitamin D assists calcium absorption, which is essential for normal development and in forming and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Without Vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle and soft. The classic Vitamin D deficiency diseases are rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Rickets results in skeletal deformities. Osteomalacia is the softening of bones. Vitamin D is essential for normal bone health and may diminish or prevent the onset of osteoporosis in the elderly.

The requirement for Vitamin D is dependent on age, sex, degree of sun exposure and the amount of pigmentation in the skin. Since Vitamin D can be produced by the body and retained for long periods of time by the body’s tissues, the precise daily requirement has been difficult to determine. Instead, an Adequate Intake (AI) level has been established. AI is a level of intake sufficient to maintain healthy blood levels of an active form of Vitamin D. The AIs are similar for males and females but increase with age:

Sources of Vitamin D:

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency can occur when dietary intake of Vitamin D is inadequate, when there is limited sunlight exposure, when the kidney cannot convert Vitamin D to its active form or when Vitamin D is inadequately absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Season, geographic location, time of day, cloud cover, air pollution, sunscreens, living indoors and living in cities where tall buildings block adequate sunlight from reaching the ground affect UV ray exposure. Individuals with limited sun exposure are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Homebound individuals, people living in northern latitudes (e.g. New England, Alaska), individuals who cover their bodies for religious reasons and people whose occupations prevent exposure to sunlight may need to supplement with Vitamin D.

Sunscreens with a sun protection factor of 8 or greater will block UV rays that produce Vitamin D. Older adults have a higher risk for Vitamin D deficiency because the skin’s ability to convert Vitamin D to its active form decreases with age and the kidneys, which help convert Vitamin D to its active form, do not work as well when people age. Individuals with pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Chron’s disease, cystic fibrosis, sprue, liver disease, surgical removal of part or all of the stomach or small bowel disease may need extra Vitamin D because Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and they have reduced ability to absorb dietary fat. Vitamin D supplements are often recommended for exclusively breast-fed infants because human milk may not contain adequate Vitamin D. Consult with your pediatrician on this issue.

Read “Health & Exercise Forum” – Every Monday in the Scranton Times-Tribune

This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com

Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at GCSOM.

For all of Dr. Mackarey's Articles visit: mackaryphysicaltherapy.com/forum

Like many of you, I have always enjoyed the outdoors...walking, running, biking, hiking etc. However, recently, I have been more concerned about my safety, (getting older and more cautious) when doing these activities on the side of the road.

Almost 15 percent of all motor vehicle injuries to people happened to those not in cars but while walking, running or hiking. In fact, over 4,000 walkers or runners were fatally hit by a motor vehicle according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These statistics continue to increase as the number of distractions to drivers increases (phone calls, texts, etc). Consequently, walkers, runners and cyclists must be more aware than ever to prevent injury from motor vehicles.

Five high risk factors for walkers, runners and cyclists:

“Runner’s World” offers the following recommendations:

Cyclists

Source: http://www.runnersworld.com

Visit your doctor regularly and listen to your body.     

NEXT MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!”  

This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician.

For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com

For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles visit: http://mackareyphysicaltherapy.com/form

Since 1949 May has been designated as National Mental Health Month for the purpose of eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness by raising awareness. One of the most common mental health conditions is depression. New research from Boston University School of Public Health has found that depression has been increasing in the United States and life with COVID for more than two years has accelerated it rapidly. In 2021 the number of people suffering from depression increased more than 32 percent, affecting 1 in every 3 American adults. However, research also has good news to offer: one of the most understated benefits of exercise is mental health! Specifically, aerobic exercise (exercise that increases your heart rate for 30 minutes or more) such as walking, biking, running, swimming, hiking, elliptical & stepper machines to name a few, is the secret to “runner’s high.” This exercise euphoria is not limited to runners alone, but all who engage in aerobic exercise are more likely to experience high energy, positive attitude, and mental wellness.

Physical activity, specifically aerobic exercise, is a scientifically proven useful tool for preventing and easing depression symptoms. Studies in the British Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Exercise and Sports Science found that depression scores were significantly reduced in groups that engaged in aerobic running, jogging or walking programs, 30-45 minutes 3-5 days per week for 10-12 weeks when compared to a control group and a psychotherapy counseling group.

Depression is the most common mental disorder and is twice as common among women as in men. Symptoms include: fatigue, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, decreased sexual interest, weight change, and constipation. Many of these symptoms are likely to bring an individual to their family physician.

HOW EXERCISE REDUCES DEPRESSION

According to research, exercise reduces depression in two ways, psychologically (mentally) and physiological (physically). 

Psychological or Mental Benefits of Exercise on Depression:

Physiological or Physical Benefits of Exercise on Depression:

HOW TO BEGIN EXERCISE FOR DEPRESSION

Work hard to recognize and overcome these symptoms to begin an exercise program. An aerobic exercise routine should eventually lessen these symptoms.

Despite a recent surge in Covid cases from the new variant, more than 70 percent of Americans anticipate high levels of enthusiasm for travel this summer. Moreover, travel abroad in 2022 is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, as isolation weary Americans take to the air!

Confession; I recently was on a long trip that required sitting on an airplane for more than six hours…and I wore compression stockings … guess I’m getting older (and wiser)!

Have you noticed that being in a car or on an airplane for more than three hours leads to neck and back pain? Soreness, stiffness and swelling in your legs? With a little planning preventing or limiting these problems on long trips, is possible. Also, as people age and/or develop other health problems, they are more vulnerable to develop a more serious problem associated with long trips; deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots. But problems from long-distance travel can be avoided. The following tips, based research and personal experience, can prevent neck, back and leg pain and stiffness and DVT.

Deep Vein Thrombosis  (DVT)

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. The deep veins pass through the muscles and cannot be seen like the veins just under your skin. While it may occur in your arms, it is much more common in the legs, especially the calf muscle when traveling. When a blood clot forms in a leg vein it usually sticks to the vein wall. Often, pain and swelling lead you to the doctor and treatment is rendered before serious complications develop. However, there are two possible complications. One, a pulmonary embolus, occurs when a part of the clot logged in your deep vein of the calf breaks off and gets lodged in the lung. This is a very serious problem that can be fatal. Two, post-thrombotic syndrome, occurs when you have pain and swelling in the calf after a DVT.

Risk Factors for Travel Related DVT?

The following risk factors for DVT significantly increase the potential for problems when traveling on long trips by air more than 5 hours. Trains, cars and buses also create a risk, but air travel creates a greater risk for the following reasons: reduced cabin pressure, reduced cabin oxygen levels, dehydration and alcoholic drinks, which may increase dehydration and immobility.

health

Risk Factors For Travel Related Neck and Back Pain

Prevention of Travel Related DVT and Leg Pain/Stiffness

Prevention of Travel Related Neck and Back Pain

Airplane seats are “C” shaped and force you to round your neck and back forwards. These exercises are designed to stretch and extend your back in the opposite direction. Please perform slowly, hold for 3-5 seconds and repeat 10 times each hour.

Sitting

When sitting in an airplane seat, take the neck pillow in the overhead compartment and place it in the small of your lower back. While sitting or standing up, perform postural exercises every 30-45 minutes.

NEXT MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!”  

This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com

Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at GCSOM.

Allergies affect 30 % of adults and 40% of children in the United States. Avoiding the outdoors is often not an option…especially if you enjoy outdoor activities and sports. Not long ago, it was unthinkable that an athlete with serious allergies could compete at a high level, such as the Olympics. Now, in great part due to advanced research, medications and proper management, an Olympic gold medal for those suffering from allergies is a reality. Recently, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institutes of Health have published research on this topic to provide a better understanding and make recommendations.

The most common allergic reactions which athletes suffer from are sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose and coughing. Moreover, 67% of those with these symptoms also suffer from asthma. The athlete in NEPA is particularly vulnerable when the pollen count is high during spring and fall for several reasons. One, after being indoors all winter, one might develop a heightened sensitivity to allergens. Also, increased rapid and deep breathing during exercise makes athletes more susceptible to significant symptoms when exposed to allergens such as tree, grass and weed pollens.

Treatment

Allergy Shots/Drops

As mentioned last week, allergy skin testing can be performed to determine the allergens to which you are susceptible. Once determined, allergy shots are effective in building up tolerance to these allergens. If appropriate, you may be able to use allergy drops, administered under the tongue and conveniently used at home.  

Pre-Treat    

Asthma suffers should use their inhaler BEFORE symptoms occur. A recent study found that pretreatment using a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler within 15 minutes before exercise is very effective in preventing asthma symptoms for more than four hours. It is important to keep a bronchodilator available. If you fail to benefit from this, see your physician for other methods to control your exercise-induced symptoms.

Warm-up/Cool Down

Whether you have allergic respiratory problems from rhinitis or asthma, you many benefit from conditioning your airways with a 10 to 15 minute warm-up before and cool-down after the activity. This may serve to gradually prepare your lungs for an increased demand.

Hydrate

In addition to preventing dehydration on hot and humid days, constant hydration is very important for the athlete with allergies to prevent dry airways in athletes.

Guidelines for Athletes with Allergies from the National Athletic Trainers Association:

Educate Staff

Know the signs and symptoms of asthma (coughing, wheezing, tightness in chest, shortness of breath).

Plan for the Problem

Some schools have a file on each student athlete with a allergic or asthmatic problem which requires medication. The file includes information such as medical doctor release and instruction, emergency contacts and medications. Students must have their medications on hand before they can enter the field. The National Athletic Trainers Association recommends using a peak flow meter to monitor at risk players and can determine when a player can return to the field.

Practice in Climate Control  

 If possible, find an alternate practice facility with climate control for athletes at risk. Plan practices for these athletes when the pollen count is low. Check the newspaper or internet for pollen counts in your area. Training by the water, (ocean) where there is a breeze and less pollen is helpful.

Additional Suggestions:

Sources: American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. National Athletic Trainers Association.

Read “Health and Exercise Forum” by Dr. Paul J. Mackarey every Monday in The Scranton Times-Tribune.  Dr. Mackarey is a doctor of orthopedic and sports physical therapy with offices in downtown Scranton. He is an associate clinical professor of medicine at GCSOM.

Read all of Dr. Mackarey's articles at https://mackareyphysicaltherapy.com/forum/

Part I or II

May is National Bike Month! In fact, Saturday, May 7, 2022 Lackawanna Heritage Valley’s Heritage Explorer Bike Tour is returning in person for the first time since 2019. For those who have a bike, now might be a good time to dust it off and enjoy the many beautiful and well-maintained trails that are available at the Countryside Conservancy at Lackawanna State Park, other locations in the Abingtons or the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. For those who don’t have a bike, it might be a good time to get one!

WHY BIKE?

There are many obvious reasons to bike…cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, improve leg strength and others. But, the real question is, “what are the advantages of biking over other forms of exercise?” Glad you asked…

BENEFITS OF BIKING:

  1. INEXPENSIVE – while not as cheap as running, biking can be much cheaper than other sports. Starter bikes can be less expensive than high end running shoes.
  2. EASY – most people can learn to ride a bike. Kids begin with training wheels and adult tricycles are available.
  3. FAMILY FUN – something the whole family can enjoy in your neighborhood, at the beach or on one of the trails.
  4. PRACTICAL EXERCISE – it is an opportunity to exercise while traveling to work, store, lunch etc…bike it!
  5. CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS – good for the heart and all that goes with it: burns calories, lowers blood pressure, lowers LDL, and elevates HDL and boosts the immune system.
  6. LEG STRENGTH – pedaling a bike is a great way to improve leg strength.
  7. CORE STRENGTH – core muscles of the neck, middle and lower back and the associated arm strength will improve while biking in order to maintain your torso on a bike on hills and turns.
  8. IMPROVES BALANCE/COORDINATION/FALLS PREVENTION – riding a bike requires some balance and coordination and therefore will improve balance as a form of falls prevention.
  9. GOOD FOR YOUR JOINTS – bike riding only requires partial weight bearing to the spine and lower body joints so it is more comfortable and gentle to your joints than walking or running. For this reason, it is often recommended to pregnant women suffering from leg or lower back pain as a safe alternative to running.   
  10. MENTAL WELLNESS – biking, like all aerobic exercise, is a great source of stress management as it releases endorphins and serotonin which improves mental health. With the added feature of being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air, biking keeps you smiling!

INJURY MANAGEMENT:

Prevention is the best management of musculoskeletal problems associated with biking. First, many of the problems associated with biking such as knee pain, buttock soreness, and tendonitis can be prevented through proper fitting. Furthermore, it is important that your equipment be in good working order such as tires, chain, brakes and pedals. Next, be sure to maintain a fairly good fitness level in order to bike safely. If you are a beginner, start slowly. Warm up and slowly bike for 10 to 15 minutes and build up over time. Practice the coordination of stopping, starting, shifting and braking. Work on good strength and flexibility of the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves and gluteal muscles. All of these muscles are necessary to generate pedal force. Balance is also important to safety and can be practiced on and off the bike. Be aware that adaptive equipment can modify your bike for added comfort and safety such as soft handlebar tape, seat post and front fork shock absorbers, padded biking shorts, c-out and gel pad saddle seats, and wider tires.

Be careful not to progress too quickly because inactivity to over activity in a short period of time can create problems. Overuse injuries such as tendonitis, can be avoided by cross training. Bike every other day and walk, run or swim on off days. Make sure to take time off to recover after a long ride. Use ice and massage to sore muscles and joints after riding.

Remember, cycling should be fun! Pain from improperly fitted and poorly maintained equipment is preventable. Excessive workouts and training rides should be kept to a minimum and consider cross-training in between.  

SAFETY:

EQUIPMENT: Helmets are a must! Also, keep your bike in good condition. Road bikes should have mirrors and reflectors. Use hand signals and obey traffic rules. Dress for weather and visibility. Have a first aid and tire patch kit, tire pump and tools. Seat comfort can be improved with gel cushion or split seat.

BE ALERT: for traffic, parked cars, pedestrians loose gravel and cracks in the road. 

SOURCES: American Physical Therapy Association

Health Benefits of Dancing

The last two columns in “Health & Exercise Forum” have been dedicated to the health benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, the use of dance was featured as a method to promote strength, balance, coordination and agility in this population. However, dance as a form of exercise and for the promotion of balance, coordination and agility, is not limited to those with neurological conditions…it is beneficial for everyone! In fact, my wife, Esther and I, have always enjoyed our dance classes with Vince Brust!

Like most forms of exercise, if done regularly, dance can have multiple health benefits. If dance is your only form of exercise, make it your goal to sustain the activity for about 30 minutes a day, 3-4 days per week for the most value.

If you have any doubt or reservations about the ability of dance to improve your health and wellness, take notice of the muscle tone, flexibility, agility and coordination of a professional dancer...ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, etc. They are incredible athletes and artists!

10 Benefits of Dancing

1. Improved Agility and Flexibility

It is common to lose agility and flexibility with age especially if you regularly perform the same limited movements throughout your day and lifetime. This will lead to stiffness and lack of flexibility, especially for new or season activities which can make you more vulnerable for injury and pain. Lower back pain and calf or hamstring strains are most common. Research suggests that dance can help.

For example, in one study it was found that cross-country skiers who received months of dance training showed improvements in joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, as well as their speed and agility.

2. Balance and Coordination

It is also expected that balance and coordination are also compromised with age. It’s one of the reasons that older adults are so prone to falls. The research also supports the value of dance to offset this problem.

One particular study found that in people over the age of 80 years, social dancing helped improve balance and walking speed, as well as contributing to a more stable walking pattern.

3. Cardiovascular Health

Moderate-intensity dance, performed continuously for at least 30 minutes on a regular basis has been found to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease in some studies. Moreover, it has been more effective in prevention than average-pace walking ...and is less boring!

4. Muscle Tone and Strength

Most activities of daily living (walking, climbing stairs) occur in a linear and forward directon. However, dance has not set direction and can move in multiple planes (forwards, backwards, and sideways with diagonal and rotational components.

These unlimited movements, not only improves agility, coordination, and balance, but also strengthens muscles that often get forgotten like your core and abdominals.

5. Weight Loss and Maintenance

As with any cardiovascular exercise, dance is a form of aerobic exercise which burns calories. This is especially true if performed a minimum of moderate-intensity for 30 minutes or longer.

According to the American Diabetes Association, aerobic exercise can support weight loss.

6. Osteoporosis Prevention

Weight-bearing exercise is the cornerstone for any osteoporosis prevention program and dance is a prime example.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, high-impact, weight-bearing exercises, such as certain forms of dance, can help maintain bone strength and even build new bone mass. This slows the development and progression of osteoporosis. It is also well established that low-impact weight-bearing exercise (dancing with the impact of jumping etc.) is effective in bone loss prevention. Dance can be whatever intensity you want it to be, depending on your mood, energy level, and physical limitations.

7. Learning, Memory and Cognition

Like most forms of exercise, especially aerobic, dance can improve cognitive health. In addition to releasing special hormones, it can also improve circulation and oxygenation to the brain to enhance brain health.

Some research suggests that dance can help create new connections between brain regions involved in long-term memory and improve mood, cognitive acuity and mental energy.

Physicians and physical therapists often recommend dance as a form of rehabilitation following brain injury, stroke or dementia.

One study found that out of many different types of exercise (including dance, swimming, golf, cycling, tennis, and others) dance was the only one associated with a lower risk of dementia for people in the study. Experts believe the benefit was due to a combo of social interaction and mental focus...that is not to say that the aforementioned types of exercise do not have value.

8. Emotional and Mental Health

Dancing can contribute to your mental health by improving mood and reducing stress. As Morrie advised in Mitch Albom’s best-selling book, Tuesdays with Mori, “dance like nobody’s watching”...it can be very invigorating!

Dance participants ranked mood enhancement as the number one reason for participation! One study examining people’s motivation for dancing, “mood enhancement” ranked top on the list.  The dancers felt that the activity is expressive and allows you to escape and “let your hair down.”

Some studies also suggest that dance therapy might also reduce depression, especially in those who have serious illnesses, such as breast cancer or Parkinson’s (read last week’s column). Researchers feel that this may be due to increased endorphins and lower cortisol levels.

9. Socialization

The pandemic has taught most of us a valuable lesson ... some of us have a serious need to socialize and some do not. For those like me, who thrive on being among others, dance classes and dance-style workouts often take place in groups, which allows for social bonding in a fun, light and breezy environment.

Depending on your marital status and the specific style of dance you choose (salsa, tango or swing dancing), you may even be paired up with a partner every week!

10. Boosts self-esteem

While exercise on treadmill, bike or elliptical can be great exercise, it also can be boring and repetitive. Research suggests that any form of exercise can boost self-esteem.

When dancing, however, you get all the benefits of exercise, while simultaneously learning a new skill. It can be incredibly rewarding and satisfying to master the skill, especially with others such as learning the tango.

SOURCE: “Greatest”  Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI

NEXT MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!”   This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.comPaul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine GCSOM.

For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles visit www.mackareyphysicaltherapy.com/forum

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching!

“Dance like nobody’s watching!” This is one of my favorite quotes from Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays With Mori, because it represents interesting facts about human behavior. One, of course, is the ability to be comfortable in your own skin. The other, maybe less obvious benefit is that challenging your balance through dancing, even if it’s not pretty, is very effective in maintaining or improving quality of life for those with challenges in gait and balance, as found in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In fact, “Dance for PDR”, a new and popular treatment for PD, has recently been validated in the scientific literature as a valuable treatment tool for those with PD. 

Research published in the Journal of Neural Transmission, shows that dancing is shown to help people with PD improve their ability to walk and enhances their quality of life. The program was applicable to those at various stages of PD, including those using walkers. Moreover, the results found that, in addition to physical improvements, participants also had psychological and social benefits through camaraderie, joy of movement and less isolation.

Participants, none of whom had ever engaged in a dance class before, performed a structured dance program for 16 sessions over 8 weeks. Each class was 75 minutes long with seated warm-up activities 50% of the time.  Results showed: 10%improvement in overall movement, 26% improvement in walking and 18% improvement in tremor.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative disease that leads to slowness of movement, balance disorders, tremors, and difficulty walking. PD results from the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine is critical to stimulate the nerves of the muscular system in the body. PD affects approximately 1.5 million people in the USA with 60,000 new cases each year according to the National Parkinson Foundation. Most people know someone affected by PD.  PD typically affects those over 65 years of age and only 15% are under 50.

While there is no current cure for PD, exercise is well documented to relieve some of its symptoms. Specifically, exercise can help keep muscles strong, joints mobile, and tissues flexible. Exercise will not stop PD from progressing, but it will improve balance, enhance walking ability, reduce muscle weakness, and minimize joint stiffness. In 2007, a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience revealed that exercise may benefit individuals with PD because exercise encourages the remaining dopamine cells to work harder to produce more dopamine. Also, the researchers discovered that exercise decreases the rate at which dopamine is removed from the brain.  

Exercise to improve strength, balance, and flexibility can be performed independently at home or supervised at a rehab or exercise facility. Supervised exercise can include physical therapy, recreational therapy, water therapy, yoga, and Tai Chi. Physical therapy can improve walking ability, enhance balance, reduce fatigue, increase strength, promote flexibility and minimize pain. Physical therapy uses movement techniques and strategies as well as various pieces of equipment to enhance an individual’s level of independence and improve his quality of life. PT can also incorporate leisure activities (e.g. golfing and ballroom dancing) to reduce the symptoms and associated limitations of PD. Tai Chi, a total mind and body workout, is a series of individual dance-like movements linked together in a continuous flowing sequence. Particular benefits for people with PD include reduced stress, increased energy, improved concentration and focus, better circulation and muscle tone, and significant improvements in balance.

According to Dance for PDR,their programoffers internationally acclaimed dance classes for people with Parkinson’s disease in Brooklyn, New York and, through a network of partners and associates, in more than 120 other communities and 16 countries. In Dance for PD classes, participants are empowered to explore movement and music in ways that are refreshing, enjoyable, stimulating and creative. For more information visit: www.danceforpd.org

So, if you like to dance, “keep on dancing!” If you don’t dance and notice some changes in balance and coordination, or if you have PD…it’s a good time to start!  “Dance like nobody’s watching!”

NEXT MONDAY – Read Dr. Paul J. Mackarey “Health & Exercise Forum!”

This article is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. If you have questions related to your medical condition, please contact your family physician. For further inquires related to this topic email: drpmackarey@msn.com. Paul J. Mackarey PT, DHSc, OCS is a Doctor in Health Sciences specializing in orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. Dr. Mackarey is in private practice and is an associate professor of clinical medicine at GCSOM.

For all of Dr. Mackarey's articles visit www.mackareyphysicaltherapy.com/forum