Too Many Experts

One way the analogy of prescription in my last post breaks down is how infrequently doctors prescribe exercise. In fact, beyond the common admonition to "lose some weight" and "start walking", medical advice in this area is seriously lacking. They sometimes seem over-anxious to fault exercise for just about any strain or pain a person might be feeling - often when the connection to exercise is very remote. Lifting weights seems particularly suspect in spite of the growing body of evidence that supports its safety and utility, even for many with special concerns or conditions. There are many reasons for this distrust, but few of them are rational. I certainly don't fault them for lack of expertise. They have enough to keep up with and I accept responsibility for this subject myself. I think it is a shame though when people miss out on the very thing that could improve their quality of life because they entrust their health to someone who misunderstands physical medicine.

My purpose is to begin examining the reasons for this lack of understanding and to continue delivering excellence in clinical exercise to those who face barriers to participation. I want to deconstruct the myths and misinformation that obfuscate the essential role that exercise must play in one's quest for better health.