Ep 73: Exercise that's Right for You & Exercise as We Age with Dr Vanessa Cornwell-Chiu

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When you think of exercise, what comes to mind? What do you think “counts” as exercise? 🧑‍🌾⛷️🏌️💃🏃🏾‍♀️
Dr. Vanessa Cornwell-Chiu, DPT, joins Mike Krause and Dr. Helena Fowler, DCN this week to dive deep into exercising as we age and how choosing the right exercises can make all the difference in your physical wellbeing.
In this Episode:

🎧 Like most things, exercise – especially as we age – is rarely one-size fits all

🎧 Fitting in exercise in the day when it works for you; the pros and cons of routine versus flexibility in times of day

🎧 Connecting with fun and joy in activity

🎧 Perfectionism and misconceptions about what counts as exercise are often blockers to movement and physical activity

🎧 Flexibility and stability as key elements for exercise and physical activity, especially, for older adults

🎧 Benefits and necessity of strength training; the surprising benefits to telomere (the protective structures at the end of chromosomes) length

🎧 The role of body acceptance and body neutrality

🎧 Chronic pain and pain management

🎧 Strategies to manage chronic pain

A proud Bay Area native, Dr. Vanessa has been a dedicated Physical Therapist for over 13 years. Her passion for movement began early through dance, which later inspired her to pursue a career in rehabilitation.
Dr. Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Science from Sacramento State University in 2006 and went on to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. With a strong foundation in orthopedics, she is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.
Throughout her career, Dr. Vanessa has held leadership roles at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, where she assisted in leading both the Dance Medicine and Concussion programs. She continues her advocacy as a board member for Concussion Box, a non-profit supporting concussion survivors and their families.
Following the birth of her first child in 2018, Dr. Vanessa developed a deep interest in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, expanding her expertise to better support women through all stages of life. In 2024, she took a leap of faith and opened her own practice—Imua (ee-MOO-ah) Physical Therapy in Vacaville, CA—where she offers services in her specialties of Dance Medicine and Pelvic Floor care. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Vanessa continues to fuel her love for the arts as a choreographer and assistant director with the Bay Area Dancers.
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