Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in treating conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system. This is the system that includes your bones, joints, muscles, soft tissue and cartilage.
Many people visit physical therapists for treating an injury or chronic pain. While physical therapists certainly help in these areas, they offer so much more to help people improve the quality of their lives. One way physical therapists can help is with weight loss assistance.
How do physical therapists help people trying to lose weight?
Being overweight has several consequences for your health, including pain, high blood pressure and difficulty performing daily tasks. Physical therapists can help you reach a healthy weight with a variety of techniques.
Generally, the goals of physical therapy for weight loss include:
- Improving strength and flexibility — When you’re overweight, it’s common for the muscles to be weaker and stiffer due to inactivity and too much pressure. Physical therapists can guide you through exercises designed specifically for you to help improve the strength and flexibility of these muscles.
Not only does this burn calories, but it provides better support for your body. - Improving cardiovascular health — People who are overweight tend to have cardiovascular issues. Physical therapists can guide you through aerobic exercises to improve your metabolism and cardiovascular health.
- Reducing pain — Being overweight puts stress on the muscles, bones and joints in your body. Physical therapists can help treat the pain this causes with exercises and other techniques, including hot and cold therapy, manual therapy and massage.
- Improving posture — One issue that many people face, especially when overweight, is poor posture. Standing or sitting with poor posture puts a lot of strain on your muscles and your bones and joints.
Physical therapists can show you how to correct your posture in various positions so you can go through your day with less pain.
Visit SOL Physical Therapy for weight loss assistance
Are you trying to lose some weight but find it challenging to do on your own? Our physical therapists at SOL Physical Therapy can help. Contact us today for more information about weight loss assistance or to schedule an appointment.
