Article
Fitness Tips
As one year comes to a close and another begins, 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 after a holiday season of eating, drinking and being merry can lead to pain, injury and disappointment if your body isn’t ready for it.
Your physical therapist is an expert in human movement and can help you safely reach your fitness goals. People think of PTs as the person to see after an injury, but a visit before you change your activity level could prevent injury in the first place. The 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 evaluation which will include an assessment of your strength, range of motion, and functional movement patterns – think jumping, running, squatting, carrying. They can then prescribe exercises or movements to address the issues found and get you safely moving into the new year!
So stop only thinking of physical therapy of something you need only after you’re injured and plan ahead! In this case, it’s true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Seeing your physical therapist before you start on your resolution can keep you on track, injury free, and help you reach your goals for the new year!
PS: If you are looking for a unique monthly membership program which provides members with an individualized exercise program that is monitored and progressed by an Exercise Physiologist, consider our Medically Adapted Gym, available at Lancaster-West office and Mount Joy office in January 2020! All new clients receive a comprehensive evaluation by the physical therapist to identify weaknesses and risk areas (billed to insurance).