Preventative vs. Prescriptive Movement-What’s the Difference and Why Should I Care?
A few reasons you should move your body before some random doctor tells you to.
At age 65 Susan was told she needed to go to physical therapy. Her hip was a mess and on the verge of needing replacement. She was prescribed 6 weeks of PT at a local facility. The first time she walked in she was completely overwhelmed by the sight of the gym equipment and other patients being directed to lift, pull, push, and squat their bodies by young, 20-something therapists in matching polo shirts.
She’d never exercised a day in her life and she hated the thought of it.
This is prescriptive movement.
As a 15+ year yoga instructor, I’ve seen and heard hundreds of stories like this from friends, family members, acquaintances, and eventually, students. They fill a range of demographics —
- Those who’ve never done a day of exercise or stretching in their life.
- Those who’ve done repetitive motions for years at work whether standing, sitting, lifting, twisting, pushing, pulling, etc…
- Those who’ve lifted weights but never stretched or participated in any kind of flexibility training.
