Exercise is Medicine

| Andrew Rapacz

Physical activity is an important part of living a healthy life. However, for many individuals knowing what to do or how to do it can present barriers to taking advantage of the many well-documented benefits of exercise and wellness. Our society’s aging population and individuals living with chronic illness, disability, or a complex medical diagnosis face additional barriers to initiating an appropriate fitness and wellness program. Many of the aforementioned individuals lack access to fitness opportunities; whether it be a facility that doesn’t have equipment to meet their needs or a connection to fitness (Personal Trainers, Certified Exercise Physiologists, etc.) and health care professionals (Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, etc.) that can modify physical activity to address their individual goals and circumstances. Luckily there is hope and traction in changing the landscape and accessibility of fitness opportunities for everyone!

The American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) Exercise is Medicine program is a global health initiative focused on the inclusion of evidence-based fitness and wellness interventions in physician’s and other health care provider’s treatment plans.¹ Exercise is Medicine exemplifies a positive trend in our current health care model shifting from a disease treatment model to a proactive preventative model focusing on alternative activity-based cost-effective holistic treatment plans. Visit Exercise is Medicine for more information.

The Exercise is Medicine initiative aligns directly with Live Your Life’s mission and values as a mobile medical wellness practice. We are here to meet you, or your loved one, where you are today and help you get where you want to be tomorrow.

Our fitness staff includes American College of Sports Medicine accredited Personal Trainers and Certified Exercise Physiologists Live Your Life’s multidisciplinary approach includes rehabilitation professionals (Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists), Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Exercise Professionals, Dietitians, and Health Coaches which exemplifies Exercise is Medicine’s goal of creating a continuum within the health care system linking direct provider care with the best evidence-based interventions to realize individual’s potential to live their life to the fullest.

Starting a wellness program can be intimidating, but we are here to help. Contact us today at info@liveyourlifept.com to learn more about how a fitness and wellness program can help you or your loved one Live Your Life to the fullest!

 

Andrew Rapacz holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota (2009) and a Master of Organizational Leadership Certificate from St. Catherine University (2016). He is accredited through the American College of Sports Medicine as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (2011).

Andrew has worked in the adaptive fitness world of neurological rehabilitation since 2009. He helped foster program growth and expansion of adaptive fitness opportunities for individuals with Spinal Cord Injury and other neurological diagnoses through Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute’s Activity Based Locomotor Exercise (ABLE) program, part of Allina Health, establishing Minnesota’s first and only Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s NeuroRecovery Network Community Fitness and Wellness Facility. He also works as a contract installer of FES products for Restorative Therapies, Inc. providing installation, education, and training for FES home users throughout the Upper Midwest.

Additionally, Andrew serves as a Board Member of Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis Foundation (gusu2cure.org) a nonprofit organization in Minnesota working to unite, educate and support those dealing with Spinal Cord Injuries and to advocate for research and the restoration of function. GUSU’s initiatives include advocating for SCI Research; community involvement through peer group and one-on-one peer mentoring; and promoting adaptive fitness.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters living an active and healthy lifestyle, enjoying the outdoors through cycling, running, hiking, and gardening. When he’s not outside Andy enjoys following University of Minnesota athletics, Vikings, Twins, MNUFC, Wild, Timberwolves, and Liverpool FC; listening to music; and reading.

References

¹Exercise is Medicine. https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/, Accessed 29th, August 2019.

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