Function First has worked very closely with the medical community for the last 17 years to help bridge the health gap, connecting the doctor’s office and fitness professionals; and, is extremely proud to be a part of the Exercise is Medicine™ initiative. Our goal is to encourage physicians, regardless of specialty, to record physical activity as a vital sign during patient visits, and to conclude each visit with an exercise prescription or referral to a certified fitness professional or allied health professional.
Information to Cover With Your Health Care Provider
What if there was one prescription that could prevent and treat dozens of conditions, such as muscluloskeletal pain, hypertension and obesity? Would you ask your doctor to prescribe it to you? Certainly.
The Exercise is Medicine™ initiative is a shared vision of the AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association, designed to help improve the health and well-being of our nation through a regular physical activity prescription from doctors and other healthcare providers. Function First is proud to be a part of this initiative and would like to be part of your health care team to help you live a full and productive life.
As a member of the Exercise is Medicine™ community, I’m committed to encouraging physical activity for the health benefits it brings all people. As we prepare to observe Exercise is Medicine™ Month in May, the case is compelling:
- Exercise and physical activity are powerful medicine indeed, helping prevent or treat numerous chronic conditions such as muscluloskeletal pain, hypertension, cardiac disease and diabetes.
- Research shows significant health benefits for those who engage in a t least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
- A survey by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) reveals that while four out of 10 physicians (41 percent) talk to their patients about the importance of exercise, they don’t always offer suggestions on the best ways to be physically active.
- According to the same survey, nearly two-thirds of patients (65 percent) would be more interested in exercising to stay healthy if advised by their doctor and given additional resources.
The foundation of Exercise is Medicine was a need for medical providers- those in positions of influence-to deliver a more direct and compelling message about the benefits of exercise beyond the ineffective, “you need to get more exercise” message. Instead, providers that are part of Exercise is Medicine are expected to document patient activity and ask about exercise as part of their vital questions and conclude each visit with an exercise prescription or referral to a qualified fitness professional. The initiative is not an effort to push physicians to prescribe exercise to their patients, but rather to refer those patients to an exercise professional, much the way they would refer a patient to a physical therapist. The Exercise is Medicine program is advocating this initiative among medical professionals in a way similar to how pharmaceutical companies promote their products. After all, if there were a pill that provided all the benefits of exercise, surely every physician would be eager to prescribe it! Physicians must be encouraging patients to take a step toward a healthy lifestyle. This is the purpose behind Exercise is Medicine™.
We are calling on health care organizations, health care providers and other professionals, regardless of specialty, to assess, to advocate for, and to review every patient's physical activity program during every comprehensive visit.
Visit the Exercise is Medicine™ Web site (www.exerciseismedicine.org) for additional information.
We urge you to speak with your doctor and make him/her aware of the Exercise is Medicine™ initiative. Please feel free to email us with any questions or concerns at education@functionfirst.com. We would be happy to send you one of our Medical Exercise brochures to share with your doctor.
To Your Health,
Anthony Carey M.A., CSCS, CES
CEO and Founder of Function First
Member of The Exercise™ is Medicine Task Force
Download this letter to your Healthcare Provider here
