Keeping your Resolution & Physical Therapy

Kris Tebo, PT, DPT

With the new year people begin to set goals and make resolutions. Losing weight, getting to the gym more often or getting into "better shape" are all common. These all require increasing your amount of physical activity. More activity is great for your health, energy levels, sleep, and mood. However, ramping up your activity level too quickly can lead to pain, injury and disappointment if your body isn't ready for it. Your physical therapist is an expert in movement and can help you safely reach your fitness goals.

People think of physical therapists as the people to see after an injury, but a visit before you change your activity level could prevent injury in the first place. An evaluation by your PT will include assessment of your strength, range of motion, and functional movement patterns - think jumping, running, squatting, carrying. Most common injuries from new fitness routines are caused by underlying weakness, range of motion deficits, or compensatory movement patterns. Your PT will find these during your assessment. They can then prescribe exercises to address the issues found and get you safely moving toward your goals.

The other common way people get injured working towards their resolution is over-training, or doing too much too soon. Physical therapists are also experts in exercise prescription and program design. Your PT can help you create a routine specific to your needs and goals that will progress appropriately and keep you out of trouble. So stop only thinking of your PT after you're injured. In this case, it's true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Seeing your physical therapist early on can keep you on track, injury-free, and help you reach your goals for the new year!

Check out one of our earlier blogs here to learn about what you can be doing to reach your goals.

APTSM does offer performance training, bridge training (for those transitioning out of therapy and into a more intensive exercise program) and FREE 15-minute consultations. So call us today and schedule your appointment and get back on track with your resolutions. 920-991-2561

Some material in this blog is provided by the Prive Practice Section of APTA