Our guest speaker was well known Christchurch physiotherapist Antony Bush. His topic was ‘Movement is Medicine – the Importance of Movement and Activity on Pain, Happiness & Longevity.’ A previous NZ Winter Olympic Team Physiotherapist, Antony has treated Olympic Gold Medalist rowers, alpine skiers, world championship triathletes and members of the All Blacks. He is a passionate advocate for getting people away from their smart phones and computer screens and moving about in the great outdoors. He poses the big question: ‘why is back pain the world’s greatest disability? How does movement and strength affect our pain, happiness and mortality.’ Antony attracted a large audience and he encouraged us all to begin with 10 squats as part of his introduction. He used slides and quotes to illustrate the importance of maintaining a good level of fitness while recognising and appreciating that most of his audience was over 70. 'Life, he said, quoting Albert Einstein, ' is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.' Backpain is recognised as the leading cause of disability throughout the world. One of the reasons is our lifestyle, mindset and behaviour. Movement, Antony says, is medicine.
