Today, most civilized countries face the highest incidence of obesity, disease and orthopedic injury in almost every conceivable category on record. These types of health issues persist despite our vast quantity of medical technology and the presence of more doctors and health care professionals than ever in history. Given our current state of health, we best get moving!
Benefits of Walking:
- Your metabolism- Walking is one of the most primal movement patterns known to man. Walking requires the integrated use of our arms, legs and torso. Hundreds of calorie-burning muscles are utilized by walking. Walking briskly on a daily basis not only results in the burning of calories, it increases enzyme activity and other metabolic activity. Eherenfried Pfeiffer, famous nutritionist, biochemist, suggests that walking as little as two miles may result in increased calorie consumption for up to 12 hours post movement. Increased metabolism doesn’t only mean using more calories, it means your body is more likely to draw in nutrients from your foods and supplements.
- Circulation of Vital Fluids – Walking results in rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscles as well as rhythmic pressure changes in body cavities. This results in improved circulation of blood, lymph and even synovial fluid (the lubricating fluid made in joints). Because much of your immune system travels through your body via the blood and lymphatic fluids, improving your circulation through daily walking can improve immune function, as well as your metabolism and health in general.
- Mobilization of Internal Organs – The rhythmic pressure changes produced by walking also mobilize and massage your internal organs. This occurs as your diaphragm contracts rhythmically with the abdominal muscles to aid respiration, as well as stabilization of the body, the result of which is a massage for your internal organs. The movement, pressure changes and improved fluid transfer keep the internal organs mobile and healthy and improving their physiological functions individually. A typical example of a common internal organ dysfunction that often responds well to walking, hiking, or even climbing stairs is constipation. When people become sedentary, they lose the natural visceral mobilization provided by functional exercise.
- The Physical (P)-Mental (M)-Emotional (E)-Spiritual (S) – With only a little self-observation, you will quickly realize that any time your physical being is sluggish or functioning sub-optimally, your mental-emotional-spiritual well-being also suffers. Most of you would be surprised at the improved mental clarity and the emotional and spiritual well-being that results from walking a couple miles a day.
Now that you know walking can aid in improving your metabolism, body shape, energy levels, mental clarity, and most aspects of your well-being, it is time to make any excuse to walk all the time, from parking lots, choosing the stairs instead of the elevator, to park a couple of blocks away from work to get some steps in.
But if you cant walk comfortably, or have problem with pain please contact us to find out how we could help you with your problems and get yourself healthier.