-  Cheryl Van Demark, PT

As the health care reform debate continues to make national headlines, America is undergoing a conciousness raising around the concept of health. Good health constitutes more than just the absence of disease.  Consider the word dis-ease and open to the understanding of good health to include the following additional characteristics: a unified body, mind, spirit; a state of ever-present mindfulness to the wonder of this beautiful world; a joyful, grateful and loving heart; and finally, a life lived to fulfill ones unique purpose and benefit humanity.

Are Americans experiencing this holistic view of good health?  Does our present health care system deliver services in a way that empowers the whole human being on a path to good health?   What are we as indiviudals doing to put our health in motion to get on a right path?  If you want to cultivate this spectrum of good health, do you know how?  Read on and find out about how Health in Motion programs might be a good start.

We have all heard the cries of alarm from the medical and social research communties for years about America’s adult sedentary yet stressful lifestyles contributing to ever increasing rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and depression.  Although this should come as no surprise, the cries are getting louder now as we see these same issues rapidly increasing in America’s youth.   As we sow, so shall we reap.  Following the health care dollars spent in this country annually, one will notice that the top 10 areas of expenditure consistently include not only the conditions already mentioned, but also depression, osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain.   Beyond genetics, these conditions all have very strong contributing factors resulting from an unhealthy body-mind/mind-body.

So, what is the good news?  First, we have complete control over state of mind; yes complete control.  Second, humans are designed with a biology and physiology that is highly modifiable; we get out that which we put in.   Third, humans are at the top of the animal kingdom because we the power to reason and act!   Present medical management strategies for these conditions can be greatly enhanced by an evidence-based holistic approach employing concepts combining Eastern and Western health principles and social science.  Are you ready for some right inputs to yield some right outputs ?  Having practiced physical therapy in Northern Arizona for the past 21 years, I know there are many people who should be saying YES, I am ready!

Enter Health in Motion. Health in Motion, LLC was formed by Cheryl Van Demark, PT in February 2009 to fulfill a mission of developing a well being program that would demonstrate the art of physical therapy as expressed through mindful movement practices.  Health in Motion currently provides the following programs: Joint Investors a holistic osteoarthritis program; and Yoga for Arthritis Seminar. The Joint Investors Arthritis Program utilizes an evidence-based and multidisciplinary approach to introduce the power of mind-body science in cultivating health and well being.  The target beneficiaries of the program are the 50+ age demographic in the Quad Cities who are experiencing limitations in function due to movement impairment related to chronic joint pain, muscle weakness, deconditioning and an unhealthy mind state that perpetuates this cycle.

Joint Investors Arthritis Program enhances fitness by combining traditional modes of resistive and aquatic exercise with mindful movement practices of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates; all of which are adapted for individuals with balance and motion challenges.  Joint Investors promotes wellness through health education on the management of arthritis and chronic pain using mind-body science combined with meditation practices.   All movement arts are team-taught with the physical therapist and certified instructors in each movement art.  Only credentialed instructors with experience working with older participants with chronic conditions have been recruited into the Joint Investors program.  A combination of large and small participant groups are used to promote peer support, socialization and improved exercise adherence.  Guest speakers from the community assist with the health education.  Yoga for Arthritis Seminars allow those participants who enjoyed the Yoga introduction in the Joint Investors program to deepen their practice.

The next session of Health in Motion, Joint Investors will be held September 28 – November 20 at The Center for Physical Excellence & The Adult Center of Prescott.  Free informational talks illustrating how this program reflects evidence-based management for osteoarthritis and fulfills recommended federal guidelines for physical activity for public health will be held at the YMCA and The Center for Physical Excellence in coming weeks.