Hinge Health Update

Nine months ago I started doing a physical therapy program through Hinge Health. It is sponsored through my health insurance as a way to either foster an exercise routine or help  with a sore knee, back, etc. problem. You work through the app - with or without sensors - and move your way up the program steps. Along the way you get rewards and kudos for completing parts of the program. I started out with a lower back pain exercise program. You are also assigned a physical therapy person to ask questions via text and they also check up on you. You can be as engaged or not. You can also set up appointments for specific concerns. Lately the exercises haven’t changed to I asked my contact why that was. She noted that I had completed the forty steps and suggested to start over and try using the more difficult version of each exercise rather than the “beginner” version. She also realized that I am not doing these exercises specifically for a particular ailment, but more for an every day routine. Originally I was using the sensors that were sent but later on didn’t feel like doing that anymore. You also get a yoga mat that is required for several moves. Aside from our morning walks and doing either these exercises or my own made up routine it feels like Groundhog Day sometimes. I don’t always like having to do this every day but am glad when it’s over. Maybe I’ll contact my PT person again and ask what exercises would be recommended for a basic routine. I suppose it doesn’t matter as long as you stick with it. 

Hinge Health Update

As a part of my health care plan there is an option to join an exercise app. So I did join - about seven months ago. We already walk every morning for over two miles and I do a bit of cardio exercise five days a week in the afternoon for about 20-25 minutes. But these Hinge health exercises are done following specific instructions. At first I used the sensors but found them to be more annoying than helpful. So lately I’ve been just following the app without the sensors. You are also assigned a coach who checks in with you every once in a while and offers encouragement and answers questions via text messaging. Since I had a bit of lower back pain - but only at night and if I sleep on my back - I selected the exercises related to back pain. That meant there were exercises that didn’t help my right knee that also has been periodically aggravated over the last few years. It just occurred to me that I’ve been at this now for seven months because I was just sent another badge of honor. Has this approach helped? I’m not sure. In some ways I think so if only because the exercises are different from what I was doing, including using a yoga mat which I never did before. You are supposed to do it at least three times a week and I have been quite consistent. If nothing else I feel better about doing it but don’t necessarily look forward to it. Many times it feels like Groundhog Day - over and over and over. So I’ll keep doing it until who knows when. It’s probably a good idea. 

Hinge Health Sensors

Last week I signed up for hinge health. It’s a preventative exercise/physical therapy program recommended by our health plan. We walk every morning but I thought this might be interesting because I like gadgets and the programs are tailored to reduce/relieve pain. I happen to have it in several spots but decided to start with the lower back. It only bothers me after sleeping in my back and if I lean forward. So I downloaded the app and followed the directions. Along with the app come sensors that you strap in your upper chest and lower back. As you exercise the sensors inform you if you are in the green zone. Also you are connected to a physical therapist that you can chat with. After each round they ask how you are feeling and there are articles to read. There is also a support group if you do desire. I’m not really in to it that much but find the whole process intriguing. Since my right knee is also sore some if the exercises stress it, and there are other options you can follow. What seems like minor movements has resulted in sore muscles - so it’s obviously doing something. So I will try to do this but about three times a week before my usual thirty minute workout in the afternoon. That workout is listening to music and moving around - obviously nothing extravagant. This program is free and probably a good idea for anyone who doesn’t like going to a gym or physical therapist. The sensors are rechargeable and I’m sure the routines will become more grueling. I also joined a program about heart health because if my family history - but that one is a clinical study and you can make some picket change by participating. I suppose being in health care myself gets me interested. 

Hinge Health

I’m not sure what I got myself in to. I like gadgets and I like staying in good health. My health insurance has offered preventative programs - for free. I signed up for a BP program and shortly after I received the BP cuff and downloaded the app it was discontinued. So I was sent another email from another vendor associated with my health plan. I signed up for it and they said I didn’t meet the criteria? Why did they send me the invitation? I got another email invitation this week - this time for physical therapy and exercise. We already walk at least two miles a day, but my right knee and lower back oftentimes hurt but not enough to cause any problems. But I would like to avoid them getting any worse. My lower back only hurts after I sleep on my back at night. Of course it was my favorite position. There is also some discomfort when bending forward. So I decided to give it a try. I was immediately enrolled and downloaded the app. Then you fill in a questionnaire. You could only write in one area of difficulty so I started with the back. A set of exercises is set up and you then follow along after viewing how to do it, then you do it. Some of the moves bothered my knee which doesn’t help. After that bit I got a text message from the assigned “coach.” After competing a second set of exercises a second day the coach was right there asking how it went. It is encouraged to do minimally three times per week. They will also be sending sensors to see if you are doing the exercises correctly. It all sounds interesting and creepy at the same time. I already do a half hour set of exercises Monday through Friday. I suppose I will just add this bit in with that. I suppose it’s good to try and stay ahead of the game but I don’t want it to be so intrusive that I stop all together. We’ll see how it goes.