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International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Many of our Lifepro members are living with a disability and using our do it yourself therapies to manage symptoms and improve the quality of their lives. We want to support them in bringing some awareness to this day and offer some insight into therapies they are using you may not be aware of. From vibration therapy to massage devices our users are taking control of their self care and their independence.
Many people are affected by a variety of disabilities worldwide. According to the United Nations who spearheads this day of recognition:
- Of the one billion population of persons with disabilities, 80% live in developing countries.
- An estimated 46% of older people aged 60 years and over are people with disabilities.
- One in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while one in every ten children is a child with a disability.
- The highest disability rates for children aged 0 to 14 are reported in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Back home here in the US the CDC reports:
- 26 % or 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability.
- 17% or 1 in 6 children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities.
Realities of Living with a Disability
Managing symptoms and just living life with a disability presents challenges and cost being a big one. If you are raising a special needs child, costs can be substantial depending on the disability and severity. Not everyone has access to a qualified therapist or health plan- let alone one that covers all therapies you may want to explore.
Traveling to appointments can be a hassle. They take time, energy and potentially limit progression if not able to perform therapies or exercises daily. If you need assistance or when symptoms like pain are severe it can be hard to get the help you need.
Do it yourself therapies offer affordable alternatives and are in high demand. They often cost less than the deductible you may have been paying on a medical version even if you do have coverage. Having the ability to increase the frequency of treatments can be a huge factor in results and goes a long way for the mood, energy and in managing chronic issues.
What Alternative Therapies are Being Used?
The most popular therapies we get asked about at Lifepro are vibration plates and light therapy devices. Both of these have a long history of use and research and our members are using them for both therapeutic and fitness reasons.
Vibration Therapies
Vibration plates offer both feel good and fitness benefits. They offer a low impact alternative to traditional exercise while reducing time spent and effort on your part. You can also boost circulation and lymph and use more like a massage tool depending on your needs. They are being used by a number of therapists now but many of the medical grade versions are just too expensive or unavailable for home use.
For do it yourself options, Lifepro recommends having a vibration plate that has oscillating movement as this is the most functional and most researched style. A few hundred dollars can get you into a great machine with a lifetime warranty and support is available to help you get started.
Massage Guns are a great way to target smaller areas ideal for chronic pain, swelling or muscle tension. These portable powerhouses can offer relief of symptoms on the go or in combination with other therapies for warm up and recovery.
Each of Lifepro’s massage guns have a variety of massage heads so you can customize for your self care needs. A storage case and long life battery allow you to use virtually anytime anywhere as needed.
Light Therapies
From red light wrap around belts to infrared saunas, light therapies have a long tenure in the wellness world. Home devices are now more accessible whereas in the past have been astronomically expensive or hard to find local options.
Light therapy devices can be used by almost anyone and help your body heal in a number of ways. It is believed to boost our mitochondria - the powerhouse of our cells helping them to perform their “work” more effectively. They offer soothing relief for a variety of symptoms.
Managing pain, improving sensation and speeding up healing and recovery are popular reasons our members love this technology. Combining light therapy while doing other things is a great way to enhance your self care without having to commit more time.
Author
Joel Gottehrer
Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.
They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.
