Whether you’re struggling with ongoing, chronic pain or dealing with a long-term lack of mobility, there are countless challenges that can bring someone in for physio treatment.
At ProActive Pilates, I offer several services to help out the incredible system that is the human body. From Clinical Pilates and fascial release to core rehab and more, these are all fantastic ways to help people regain control over their bodies and start feeling their best again.
What do all these services have in common? It’s simple: they require work on your part to see good results, both in your sessions and outside of them.
Sadly, a couple of hours of dedicated physiotherapy a week isn’t enough to counteract everything you’re doing for the rest of your day. It takes time and proactive effort to start seeing true results, however once you experience them you’ll agree it was well worth it!
So, you may be wondering how to stay physically active at home and keep up with the wellness lifestyle between physio treatments. Here are my top five recommendations.
1. Get outside
If you ask me, there’s no better way to stay active between sessions of physiotherapy than getting outdoors. Whether you decide to find a local hike, take a walk on the beach, try out a local running trail, or simply go for a leisurely stroll through the neighbourhood, anything that gets you moving is great. Not to mention there’s all the fresh air and sunshine that will do wonders for your mind, which can help put your body at ease as well.
2. Create a home studio area
The beauty of staying active is that you can do it without leaving your home, and with minimal equipment. Countless people count on yoga, aerobics, Tai Chi, Pilates, and more as a key part of their physical routine, and for good reason. These are all fantastic modalities of movement that can help you stay in touch with your body, keep everything moving and active, and help you overcome physical challenges.
Creating a studio space at home can be as simple or as advanced as you want it to be. You’ll just need enough space to move around freely and a mat of some kind to work on. Aside from that, you can add any other tools as you see fit.
3. Find a local sports league
What better way to stay active while having fun than with a sport? Do a little research to see if there are any sports offered in your area. Some sports will have drop-in leagues that let you come in whenever you’re able to, while there might be adult rec leagues offered as well. These can be even better, since the obligation will help keep you accountable and will motivate you to get out and play regularly.
Some of the best sports for staying active are:
- Pickleball
- Tennis
- Soccer
- Squash
- Basketball
- Rugby
- Lacrosse
- Hockey
If all else fails, you could always get a few friends together for a friendly weekly game at your local rec center. At the end of the day, whatever sport you enjoy the most will be best for helping you stay active.
4. Try out an individual sport
Are team sports not your style? If that’s the case, you could always try picking up a new individual sport as a way to stay active outside of clinical therapy sessions. There are so many fantastic activities to choose from, and the skill curves and entry costs vary greatly. Some great individual sports to consider include:
- Hiking
- Long-distance running
- Mountain biking
- Martial arts
- Swimming
- Rock climbing/bouldering
Just like with team sports, what’s most important is that you enjoy your sport of choice. The more fun you have while doing it, the more likely you’ll be to keep up with it and make it a regular part of your routine. This means you’ll maintain your progress with your physiotherapy of choice, as well as feel healthier and happier over time.
5. Invest in some physio equipment to use at home
Looking for a way to keep up with your physiotherapy treatment while at home between sessions? Why not pick up some of the best tools of the trade? There are lots of options on the market for home-use physiotherapy equipment, but my personal favourites are the ones I use in my clinic: therapy balls by TuneUp Fitness. These rubberized, grippy balls are a great alternative to foam rolling, allowing you access and work deeper tissues for a more thorough release.
With a combination of therapy balls, spiky massage balls, and some rubber resistance bands, you’ll have all the tools you need to keep up with your physiotherapy routine between sessions.
There are lots of ways to stay active in your day-to-day life. Whether you decide to head outside on an active adventure, enroll in a local sports team, or just do your own thing and stay active solo, you can’t go wrong with any of these options!
If you’re searching for an expert in physiotherapy and recovery to help you out on your journey to physical health, relaxation, and general wellness, I can help. With 25 years of experience as a physiotherapist, I’m here to help you move better, feel better, and be confident in your everyday life.
Ready to get started? Contact me to book your initial consultation.