Back to School, Back to Health
Now that the kids and grandchildren are back in school, parents and grandparents may find themselves with a little more time on their hands to consider using for interests beyond the joys of childrearing. Not only do we want our little ones happy and healthy, we also of course need to engage in some measure of self-care if we expect to be in the best position to continue caring for our loved ones. Promoting family involvement in physical activity is one of the goals of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. Since 1996, the last Saturday of September each year has been designated Family Health & Fitness Day. This year’s observance will be on September 28, 2024. Family Health & Fitness Day is a national event that promotes the importance of family involvement in physical activity and healthy living. This day serves as a reminder that health and fitness should be a family affair, not just an individual goal, so, in the spirit of this day, let’s explore some ways of integrating new practices into our pursuit of increasing physical activity–it’s one of the most important parts of our health!
One way to get back to health with the whole family is to enjoy outdoor activities that everyone can share in. We have no shortage of such opportunities here in Bradenton and Sarasota. A few examples are:
- Beach Walking
Walking through the sand offers a mild resistance to your legs, ankles, feet, and toes. It’s a light, low impact workout that can also offer some enjoyable education with a naturalist-guided birdwatching or shell identification tour.
- Explore a Nature Preserve
Florida has a wealth of natural beauty. Between Manatee and Sarasota Counties, there are at least 40 preserves that can be accessed year round. Perico Preserve, one of Manatee’s newest preserves, is offering tours led by a Master Gardener to take a walk and learn about the wide variety of ecosystems on display and how the preserve was transformed into what it is today.
- Play in the Park
So many fun activities that can’t easily be engaged in at home are readily available at our local parks. You can even search by activity like tennis or swimming, type of park, amenity, or location. Our clinic is located in Bradenton in Manatee County, surrounded by over 30 parks at your disposal.
- Get Back to Moving Without Pain
Understandably, if you suffer with back or joint pain, engaging in these activities may be difficult or even impossible. Not every ache, pain, or condition necessarily can or needs to be treated with opioid drugs or surgery. Physical Therapy is a non-surgical and prescription drug-free means of helping you move without pain. Our pain specialists excel in identifying the root causes of people’s pain or dysfunction and constructing a treatment plan specific to the person’s abilities. Give us a call at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a direct message to find out how we can help. As we move into the fall, let’s not only think about “back to school,” but also focus on getting “back to health” with Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida!