Lifestyle Medicine is evidence-based clinical care that supports behaviour change through person-centred techniques to improve mental wellbeing, social connection, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and minimisation of harmful substances and behaviours

Anyone can benefit from taking a holistic approach to whatever symptoms they are experiencing, and considering them in context with one’s current lifestyle. In particular, persistent pain, such as chronic lower back pain, neck pain, headaches and joint pain is often multi factorial in origin, and it can be very helpful to view the symptoms as being ‘downstream’ to the ‘upstream systems’ which may be out of balance.

Most people see a physiotherapist in an outpatient clinic setting because they have some kind of pain, or are struggling with mobility/function after an injury or surgery. The traditional physiotherapy approach is to assess functional status, muscle strength, balance etc. and use various interventions to resolve the pain. Physical activity, which is one of the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, is always a component of a physiotherapy session. However a more thorough Lifestyle Medicine approach will go a step further by including questions on the other 5 pillars. (See below)

A Lifestyle Medicine assessment will include questions about your sleep, your diet, your stress levels and mental wellbeing, your social supports and relationships and any harmful behaviours (such as smoking) you may want support in stopping. The physiotherapist and the patient work together to come up with a plan, involving simple, achievable & sustainable behaviour changes the patient feels ready and motivated to make, in an effort to improve their symptoms in the context of their overall health. I try to use this approach in all of my consultations to some extent, however I also offer dedicated Lifestyle Medicine consultations.

Yes!

You are welcome to come and see me for a dedicated Lifestyle Medicine consultation. Initial consults are an hour and follow ups are half an hour. You can access this in my Ballydehob Clinic, or I also run a Lifestyle Clinic through Marino Medical Centre in Bantry on Monday afternoons. You can book directly with them (even if you are not a patient there) on 027-50504.