Physical therapy and your weight
- Posted on: Nov 15 2013
If you’re struggling with your weight, you’re not alone. More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, meaning they’re 35 pounds over a healthy weight, according to new figures from the National Center for Health Statistics. Fortunately, physical therapists (PTs) can help you stay active and ward off disability.
A PT will address how your weight affects the way your body moves and functions. He or she can teach you exercises to improve flexibility, increase strength and cardiovascular endurance, reduce any pain you might be experiencing, and improve your posture and balance. The goal: to help you continue to perform activities of everyday life.
A PT can also help you drop pounds. He or she can help you set goals and monitor your progress. Your PT can give you the feedback, support and encouragement you need to achieve your goal.
Type 2 diabetes patients, who are often overweight, can also benefit from a PT program. Nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. have the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you’re one of them, you need to do aerobic and strength-building exercises, which will enable you to keep up with your daily activities. Your PT can also help you find ways to reduce your need for diabetes medications, lower your risk of heart disease and stroke and stay on top of your blood sugar levels.
If you develop complications, your PT can use special tests to check for foot sensation; decrease cramping pain while walking; evaluate and care for skin ulcers; and help you find comfortable shoes. Your PT will work with your doctor and other health-care professionals to help you manage the condition.
For more information on how physical therapy can help you lose weight and cope with Type 2 diabetes, contact us here.
Tagged with: diabetes, how do I lose weight, lose weight, losing weight, obesity, weight loss
Posted in: All Posts, Fitness, Health & Wellness
