Moving Matters

Exercise as a Prescription

You Can Achieve a Better Quality of Life
What if there was a way to either decrease or avoid altogether prescription medications for certain health conditions? Columbia St. Mary’s introduces a new program to empower patients to change the course of their lives by overcoming their barriers to physical activity and by managing their disease.

Research has shown that regular exercise is an essential component of achieving a healthy lifestyle. Yet, people suffering with chronic illnesses often experience limitations in their activities as a result of their conditions and find it hard to exercise regularly.

Columbia St. Mary’s provides Moving Matters, a medically supervised exercise program for individuals who may be suffering from one or more of the following conditions:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Osteoporosis
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Depression

Moving Matters is the only program of its kind in southeastern Wisconsin. It encourages people to achieve active lifestyles by overcoming their barriers to physical activity, even while experiencing illness. The goals of the program are to prevent, limit or diminish the need for medications and other medical interventions such as dialysis, cardiac bypass, or surgery, by improving overall fitness and health. Along with a healthy diet, regular exercise has been shown to help manage cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reducing the need for oral medications.

Starting the Program – Phase I
Moving Matters is a six-month program designed to evaluate and develop a customized exercise plan. Typically, patients are referred to the program from their primary care physician. Patients referred to Moving Matters undergo a complete physical therapy evaluation at our rehabilitation facilities at Lakeside Commons in Mequon. Patients are advised to wear comfortable clothing because they will begin their exercise program on their first visit!

The purpose of the physical therapy evaluation is to identify potential areas for improvement and any risks or precautions for exercise. Patients are also given a Moving Matters booklet to log their progress in the program.

Our physicians and physical therapists will work with each patient to establish specific goals to improve health in a number of areas including:

• Cardiovascular fitness
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Weight/Body Mass Index
• Diet

Working the Program - Phase II
With Moving Matters there are no sit-down, classroom sessions! Patients will actively learn about nutrition and how to exercise so that they can achieve a health lifestyle. During the first month of the program, patients will exercise once a week with the physical therapy team. The initial goals are to get the patient started with a regular exercise program and to closely monitor the progress.

After a few months, the patient will meet with the team less frequently, and begin more independent exercise. The patient will be asked to report on these independent activities by leaving the team weekly voice or e-mails. The physical therapist will continue to review the patient’s goals and modify the exercise routines as the patient gains strength and endurance.

Keep Moving – Phase III
After the initial six-month period, the patient is more likely to have successfully and permanently incorporated exercise and better nutrition into his or her life. At this point, the patient has the option of continuing independently, or continuing with Moving Matters.

Are You Ready?
Moving Matters is typically not covered by insurance. However, in many cases funds from your employer-offered Flexible Spending Account can be used. The fee for the six-month program is $500, just a small investment for a better quality of life and future prescriptions of exercise only! Payment is required at the beginning of the six-month program. If you're ready to take the next step toward a healthier life, ask your physician for a referral to our program at one of the following locations.

Lakeside Commons Outpatient Center
Rehabilitation Services
11725 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon
(262) 241-2131

Cathedral Square Urgent Care Center
734 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee
(414) 277-6500

Bay View Family Health Center
3056 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
(414) 769-4949

Gateway Medical Clinic
801 S. 70th St., West Allis
(414) 773-6634