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.
Your brain health is shaped every day. Movement. Nutrition. Sleep. Stress. Social connection. Blood pressure control. These are powerful tools for protecting memory and cognitive vitality. The encouraging news? Many risk factors for cognitive decline are modifiable. Small, consistent choices today can support clarity and resilience tomorrow. If brain fog, memory concerns, or focus issues are showing up, let’s talk early — not later. Read our blogs to learn more: https://www.eileenwestmd.com/category/brain-health/ #brainhealth #cognitivewellness #preventivecare #healthyaging #conciergemedicine #EileenWestMD
Sleep is not a luxury. It’s foundational medicine. Poor sleep impacts blood sugar, weight, mood, hormones, immunity, and heart health. If you’re struggling with insomnia, waking frequently, or feeling exhausted despite “enough” hours — that’s a signal worth exploring. Sometimes it’s stress. Sometimes hormones. Sometimes sleep apnea. Sometimes habits. Let’s get curious about your sleep — and create a plan that restores real rest. #sleephealth #worldsleepday #conciergecare #restorativesleep #preventivemedicine #EileenWestMD
Patient safety isn’t a checklist — it’s a culture. Clear communication. Thoughtful prescribing. Coordinated care. Time to ask questions. These are not luxuries — they are essentials. In a concierge model, fewer patients means more attention to detail, better follow-through, and proactive prevention. Because safety starts with being known — not rushed. If you ever have questions about your medications, test results, or treatment plan, we want to hear them. #patientsafety #safecare #conciergemedicine #proactivehealth #healthcarequality #EileenWestMD
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