Doctor writes “park prescriptions,” urges patients to experience the health benefits of walking

While many doctors may tell a patient that they should lose weight to help their overall health, it’s virtually unheard of that they write a prescription to do so, let alone provide them with a specific exercise regimen that takes their daily commuting habits and personal interests into consideration. Yet, Dr. Robert Zarr of Unity Health Care, a Washington, D.C. clinic dedicated to serving uninsured and low-income area families, is doing just that (1).

Linking medical records with park systems to create healthier patients

In fact, with the help of some park rangers, public health volunteers, and funding from various associations, he’s mapped out 380 parks in the District of Columbia that are electronically linked with patients’ medical records (1).

For many of his patients who can benefit from exercise, he provides them with a specific outdoor activity that involves making use of the various park systems in the database. One such “park prescription,” for example, was for 13-year-old Kelssi Aguilar to “Walk the remaining four blocks on the second bus on your route to school from home, every day (1).”

Aguilar, Dr. Zarr’s patient, used to take a series of different public transportation methods to get to school. Dr. Zarr’s prescription advised her to exchange the final leg of her bus ride for a walk. She was urged to walk the rest of the way to school instead of take public transportation for that last stretch of time. Admitting to being lazy, Aguilar says that at first she was very hesitant. These days, however, she looks forward to that 40-minute walk to school, explaining that she even often arrives several minutes earlier than when she took the bus.

The need for more than a seven minute doctor-patient visit

Furthermore, Dr. Zarr engages with his patients, something that seems to be dwindling in today’s hurried society.

In fact, according to Dr. Peter Salgo, a professor at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, the average doctor-patient face-to-face time averages a mere seven minutes, something he believes needs to change. Salgo explains that patients deserve more self-respect, saying that the ” . . . medical establishment has, many of us feel, simply rolled over and gone along to get along. It has sacrificed patients’ best interests on the altar of financial return (2).”

That’s why Dr. Zarr stands out from the crowd. “I like to listen and find out what it is my patients like to do and then gauge the parks based on their interests, based on their schedules, based on the things they’re willing to do (2),” he says.

The health benefits of walking involve more than weight maintenance

Walking has many health benefits, which according to the Mayo Clinic range from improving mood and maintaining a healthy weight to preventing heart disease and managing diabetes (3).

Rather than thinking of walking as boring or something that must be done with extreme vigor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says “It’s about what works best for you, as long as you’re doing physical activity at a moderate or vigorous effort for at least 10 minutes at a time (4).”

Jennifer

Sources for this article include:

(1) npr.org

(2) nytimes.com

(3) mayoclinic.org

(4) DrEddyMD

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Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin), Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten): Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare. Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy. Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german. https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/ https://dreddymd.com/courses/ https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/ “Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore, Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and Physician at DrEddy Clinic Our Mission: The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology. We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient. Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well. Heavy metal poisoning Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system.. We are here to help and to educate! Wishing your health and happiness Dr Eddy Bettermann MD Multimedia library https://bit.ly/2Wgqsd3 Protect you and your family from harmful radiation https://bit.ly/synergyscience-dreddymd More information about 5G and EMF: https://dreddymd.com/?s=5G+and+EMF Protocol https://amzn.to/2Nxsfql View all posts by dreddymd