Doctors continue to prescribe physical exercise to patients who need to lose weight for their health. However, approximately 1 in 3 of these patients reported some type of physical issue/restriction. These limitations make physical activity even more difficult or impossible for the patients. Physical therapy is the key to overcome weight loss obstacles.
The research found published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice took the data from around 5,500 people who answered yes to whether or not a doctor had brought up weight loss or physical activity to them before. Of those people, 31% reported one or more of functional limitations. A functional limitation is classified as everyday activities. These include walking for a quarter mile, walking up 10 steps without resting, preparing meals, dressing, standing up without using one’s arms, and pushing or pulling large objects.
Functional limitations immediately show themselves as roadblocks on the way to weight loss because of the difficulty to do physical activity prescribed by their doctor to lose weight. Thus, the “chicken or the egg” discussion may come into play. It’s possible those functional limitations may occur because of previous lack of physical activity. That argument, however, is moot.
The goal at the point of intersection of functional limitations and need for physical activity is to help the person safely manage the difficulties of physical activity. According to authors of the study, “Physical therapists are well-suited to manage the PA [physical activity] and exercise programs of individuals with functional limitations given [their] education, expertise, and documented self-efficacy in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention with exercise testing, prescription, and implementation.”
Functional limitations are not functional impossibilities. With the correct education and help from a physical therapist, one can begin to increase their physical activity in a safe way. A physical therapist can also offer nutritional and dietary help to reach their weight loss goals.
For more information on how to safely live an active and healthy lifestyle, give us a call at (602) 808-8989 and set up an appointment with one of our highly-skilled physical therapists.