Posted On: November 16, 2023
Did you know that your ability to perform certain functional movements is correlated to greater longevity? Examples of such movements are balance, strength, power, flexibility, speed, and more.
Let’s take balance as an example – balance ability typically starts to decline around 40 years of age. After we turn 50, individuals typically lose about 25% of their balance ability each decade. We also know balance is directly correlated with fall risk, and falls are the cause of up to 90% of hip fractures.
As another example, one’s ability to do push-ups is directly linked with risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack. Read more about these examples and more in our post on fitness level and longevity.
But how can you ensure you are maintaining healthy functional movement? The good news is that there are simple movements you can practice — and they are easy to implement at home! Check out the suggested exercises below and get started on maximizing your own longevity.
Standing on one leg while brushing your teeth.
Stand and Grab your toes, rock back and forth shifting weight. Take a step if you need to.
Walking:
Floor to stand:
Grip strength: Farmers carry
Core strength: Push ups/planks
While watching TV, sit up and down off your chair at each commercial break.
Julie Johnson, PT, DPT, is with our physical therapy partner MovementX. Therapists from MovementX provide complimentary Functional Fitness Tests annually for our members. These tests are one of the many elements of comprehensive preventive care we incorporate into our concierge internal medicine membership at Eileen West, MD and Associates.
Holiday schedule packed? When you’re a patient with us, you get same or next-day appointments for urgent issues, direct messaging, and unrushed visits—no need to squeeze health into the margins. Take advantage of your membership and get year-end peace of mind! Interested in learning more about our membership model? Give us a call today! #conciergemedicalcare #conciergepractice #EileenWestMD
December is joyful and busy, but don’t forget to check in with your body! Hydrate, rest when you can, and keep nourishing meals in the rotation. Small choices now make January feel a whole lot lighter! #selfcare #5minutereset #bodycheckin #EileenWestMD
This Thanksgiving, between the pumpkin pie and football games, take a moment to talk with your family about your health histories. Understanding your family’s medical history can be lifesaving. It helps us identify patterns, assess risk, and make proactive decisions—especially for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and genetic disorders. Here are a few simple questions to guide the conversation: 👉 Has anyone been diagnosed with a chronic condition? 👉 Are there any hereditary diseases we should be aware of? 👉 What age were relatives diagnosed with major illnesses? These discussions don’t have to be heavy—they can be empowering. Knowing your family’s health story gives you the power to write a healthier future. For additional tips on how to manage these conversations, see our blog: https://www.eileenwestmd.com/blog/ask-the-expert-family-health-history-and-why-it-matters/ Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, safe, and informed Thanksgiving. 🧡 #eileenwestmd #happythanksgiving
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