Movement Is Medicine: How Staying Active Improves Quality of Life
- Malibu West
- Nov 17
- 2 min read
By Heather Toma, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT — Move to Mend Physical Therapy
Why Movement Matters
We all know exercise is “good for us,” but the science keeps showing just how powerful it really is — not only for preventing disease, but for improving how we feel every day.
A 2024 systematic review published in the journal Healthcare looked at adults who wore activity trackers to measure how much they moved throughout the day. The researchers — Santos B., Monteiro D., and Silva F.M. — examined how physical activity and sedentary time affected overall health and quality of life.
Their findings were simple but profound:
People who moved more reported higher levels of health-related quality of life.
People who sat more reported lower quality of life.
Even light movement — standing, walking, stretching — contributed to better mental and physical well-being.
In other words, movement is medicine, and it doesn’t have to mean running marathons or lifting heavy weights. The best movement is the one you’ll actually do — and keep doing.
The Science Behind “Move More, Sit Less”
This review included research from multiple countries and used objective measures (like accelerometers and wearable fitness devices), making it one of the stronger studies on this topic.
It found that consistent activity improves:
Energy levels and daily endurance
Mood and mental health
Heart and metabolic health
Mobility, strength, and balance
And overall life satisfaction
On the flip side, long stretches of sitting were linked to fatigue, stiffness, and higher
cardiovascular risk — all things that can chip away at quality of life over time.
How Physical Therapy Fits In
At Move to Mend Physical Therapy, I help people bridge the gap between wanting to move and being able to move. Whether it’s lingering pain, an old injury, or stiffness that keeps you from staying active, my goal is to help you restore motion, confidence, and strength so you can live the life you love.
We’ll work together to:
Address pain and dysfunction that limit movement
Build strength and mobility tailored to your lifestyle
Create a realistic plan for regular, enjoyable activity
Support long-term consistency — because movement only helps if you can keep doing it
Healing isn’t just about exercise — it’s about having the right guidance, resources, and
encouragement along the way. That’s where a collaborative, one-on-one physical-therapy approach can make all the difference.
A Simple Takeaway
You don’t have to overhaul your life to start feeling better — sometimes, gentle, consistent movement is one of the most powerful tools we have. And when pain, stress, or life circumstances make that hard, the right support can help you get there.
Every bit of movement adds up, and your body and mind will thank you for it. If pain or
injury is holding you back, I’m here to help you find your way back to movement — safely, confidently, and sustainably.
Reference:
Santos B., Monteiro D., Silva F.M., et al. (2024). Objectively Measured Physical Activity and
Sedentary Behaviour on Cardiovascular Risk and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults: A
Systematic Review. Healthcare, 12(18): 1866. Read on MDPI:
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