November is often coined the term Movember. What does Movember really stand for? Every November, millions of men around the world grow mustaches during November to support a campaign that raises awareness for men’s health. Movember is about bringing awareness to men’s specific issues that are often overlooked – such as mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and physical wellbeing. Movember was born in Australia when a group of men began the movement and its real mission is to help men live healthier, happier, and longer lives. That means embracing a holistic approach to health, including physiotherapy, nutrition from a qualified dietitian, and counselling to support mental and emotional wellness. Together, we can bring awareness and change the current state of things one step at a time.
Let’s look at what the research says. Statistically, men live shorter lives than women and are at higher risk of dying from preventable causes, on average they live 4.5 years less than their female counterparts. Men are often told to be tough and “stoic”, this mentality surrounding men often discouraging them from seeking the help that they need. This shorter lifespan could actually be prevented to a certain extent and the reasons are:
- Men are less likely to visit the doctor
- Men are three times more likely to die by suicide
- Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-39
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men
Let’s begin by looking at men’s health through a holistic lens and full body approach, beginning with physiotherapy and men’s health. When people think of physiotherapy, they often associate it with injury rehab or an acute condition. However, for men, physiotherapy can be a key component of preventive health and overall well-being. Shifting our mindset into more proactive versus reactive treatment is what we are trying to change with Movember. Many men work in physically demanding jobs, house and yard work, play sports, or spend long hours sitting at a desk and this can make them more prone to issues such as:
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Joint stiffness and arthritis
- Reduced mobility and flexibility
- Pelvic floor dysfunction (especially post-prostate surgery)
A licensed physiotherapist can help men restore mobility and strength; prevent future injuries; improve posture and ergonomics; manage pain without medication. There are a few clinics in your city that offer men’s specific pelvic floor physiotherapy, be sure to reach out on the Canadian physiotherapy website to determine who would be a good fit for you.
Moving on to another aspect of the holistic approach is how can Dietitian help with men’s help? We’ve heard it before, “you are what you eat” and that holds especially true when we are talking about preventing chronic disease and improving energy, focus, and living longer. Dietitians can support men (and everyone) with the following services:
- Weight management and muscle-building plans
- Managing cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
- Gut health and digestive issues
- Optimizing nutrition for mental health
- Supporting recovery from prostate or testicular cancer
Balanced nutrition improves physical performance, immune function, and mental clarity, which are all essential for men juggling careers, family life, and personal goals. At PhysiGO Mobile Services, we have an in-house dietitian who can assist with meal planning services, label reading, and supplement advice and is ready to get you booked in today. Make sure to inquire to book!
Another aspect of men’s health that is often overlooked is mental health and it continues to be a very important topic that we need to continue to bring to light. One of Movember’s biggest goals is to accomplish tackling the stigma around mental health for men and encourage them to speak out. Many men suffer in silence for many reasons, but mainly because they feel they need to be “tough” and feel afraid to speak out. Simply put, no one should even suffer in silence and it is Movember’s missio to break this silence.
According to the Movember Foundation:
- 1 in 4 men experience a mental health problem at some point in their life
- 3 out of 4 suicides happen to be men
- Men are less likely to seek out counselling or therapy
Mental health affects every aspect of life including physical health and longevity. There is support available, speaking to a counsellor or mental health professional can help men navigate stress and depression; develop healthier coping strategies; improve emotional regulation; build self-esteem; recover from trauma to name a few. Our company offers online booking for this service, make sure to reach out to www.physigomobile.com to book your appointment today.
Movember promotes more than awareness and it encourages action. Taking a holisitic approach is the key, which means thinking beyond just one aspect of health. It includes physical, nutrition, mental wellbeing support. The first thing men can do to help change the current landscape is to schedule a physical check-up; book a counselling session; book with a physiotherapist; connect with a dietitian. At PhysiGO Mobile Services, we offers all of these services and are ready to help support Movember’s mission.