Since ancient times, healers have recognized the curative power of physical activity. Today, scientific evidence confirms this widespread belief that movement heals. A growing body of research shows that physical activity can help prevent and treat America's top killers--including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and stroke--often more effectively, and without the negative side effects, of drugs or surgery. Exercise also can relieve a host of common ailments, such as arthritis, depression, back pain, PMS, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, high cholesterol and sexual dysfunction.

In their indispensable book, HEALING MOVES: How to Cure, Relieve, and Prevent Common Ailments with Exercise, awarding-winning health columnist Carol Krucoff and her husband, renowned scientist and cardiologist, Mitchell Krucoff, present an authoritative guide to using physical activity to prevent and treat a broad array of common health problems. Grounded in solid, Western science, but embracing Eastern concepts of healing, it explains the underlying mechanism of each ailment and offers specific, detailed exercise prescriptions tailored to relieving symptoms, combating the cause and activating the body's own defenses.

"Getting regular physical activity may be the single most important thing you can do to prevent disease and promote good health," report the Krucoffs, who note that the average American adult now expends about 800 fewer calories per day than his or her parents did--the equivalent of 4 glazed donuts. Our society's "push-button, drive-through, remote-control mentality" is one reason why we're experiencing an epidemic of inactivity-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and geriatric frailty, they write. As evidence, they cite a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association which says our country's "epidemic of inactivity" is responsible for an estimated 250,000 deaths per year. The sad fact is that, although most Americans know physical activity is good for them, less than 25 percent of adults (and an alarmingly low percentage of children) exercises regularly, and only about 30 percent of physicians effectively counsel patients about getting regular physical activity.

HEALING MOVES is a call-to-arms for Americans to get moving, and the Krucoffs not only show how to activate your life, but make their advice as fun and as flexible as possible. For each condition, they explain how to tailor an exercise program to suit lifestyle, age, fitness level and individual preference, and present an extensive menu of exercise options to help readers personalize a physical-activity plan that will interest, suit and delight.