Can My Physiotherapist Help In Losing Weight?

"WEIGHT" tends to be a boggle for most of us, regardless of the uphill or downhill road to get there. The pandemic era has led to a significant number of people gaining unwanted weight, which increases their susceptibility to viral infections and other deadly diseases, as well as complications associated with them.

Only around 5% of us have adhered to a strict schedule and consistency with regard to our exercises. Despite the fact that some of us have given it some serious thought and others are pushed by peer pressure to look their best.

It is important to understand how to normalize the abrupt change in weight trajectory, what to do, who to approach, and who can direct us in the right direction without compromising our health. The most frequent choices we make are going to the gym, participating in a team sport, or joining a peer fitness group. 

We frequently overlook the fact that no two people are alike, regardless of age, gender, or rate of weight growth. Considering that every individual has their own way of life, food preferences, biological characteristics, and health issues, each needs individualized consultation based on their body type.

Continue reading this blog, to learn about what is the role of Physiotherapy in weight management and how a Physiotherapy consultant can assist you in losing weight without compromising your health. 

Role of Physiotherapy in Weight Management

One of the biggest misconceptions about Physiotherapy is that it can only be used to treat ailments like leg pain, and stiff neck or to assist someone recovering from an injury. Physiotherapy is much more than that, though. Physiotherapy also known as physical therapy actually has the power to heal us holistically, encourage wellness, and remove any health problem that may come our way.

Although maintaining a healthy weight is challenging, regular Physiotherapy can help control excess weight and keep related issues at bay. It goes without saying that it has been proven to be a successful remedy for individuals who battle with apparent weight gain due to various reasons, like an increase in weight gain due to continuous sitting, after experiencing an injury, etc.

Physiotherapists can assist clients with learning about weight loss and evaluating and developing an exercise regimen. The goal of the exercise programme is to alter energy expenditure through exercise.

• Exercise provides advantages that go beyond reducing fat mass, which is one way to reduce obesity. In many cases, being fit is linked to better clinical results, such as a decreased risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's, and inflammatory diseases.
• Encourage patients to outline their own motivations for pursuing an active lifestyle. Set short-term goals. Setting goals has been found to be useful in focusing participants' attention on behavior change.
• To maximize patient safety, patients must be cleared by their healthcare practitioner for any comorbid conditions based on their medical history and physical examination. Examples include the Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
• Physiotherapy encourages mobility. The primary goals of Physiotherapy are to improve mobility and to help stiff, painful muscles and tendons function again. There will undoubtedly be a significant difference in your mobility as you regain function or learn how to exercise the same muscles more effectively, which will ultimately help you achieve your fitness goals.

Symptoms treated by Physiotherapy

The following are some of the symptoms that Physiotherapy can treat:

• Limited flexibility 
• Feeling of heaviness 
• Running out of breath
• Exhaustion or fatigue
• Imbalanced endurance levels
• Body aches arising out of added weight pressure
• Lost strength

Also Read: What Is The Best Ayurvedic Medicine For Weight Gain?

Physiotherapy Plan for Weight Loss

After understanding the importance of having a trained physiotherapist around you to tailor your exercise regime, the next question in our minds is "How to stitch up a sustainable plan for weight loss?"

Depending on your needs, your physiotherapist may follow different alternative modules while evaluating your condition and taking appropriate precautions for your body type. They can progressively progress to high-intensity or elliptical training modes by using a variety of equipment, such as weight cuffs, therabands, dumbbells, etc. Whatever the mode, there are rules that must be observed throughout the procedure. A physiotherapist will never focus solely on losing a few pounds or inches; rather, they will work with you to achieve a toned body form and improve your agility. 

The weight loss regime should include your diet (low carbs are more effective than a low-fat diet initially), a focused behavioral approach, a good workout routine of 30-60 mins of moderate or 15-30 mins of vigorous exercise a day with regular cheat days, and optimal rest for the body to build the muscles.

One must follow the rule: Start slow, Go steady, and Gradually increase the frequency and intensity, to ensure a more sustained adherence. Instead of attempting to complete all the exercises in one day, spread them out over a week and set short-term targets to help keep the mood upbeat. To prevent injuries, choose a safe atmosphere, and the proper equipment, and be prepared to change your workouts to suit your body type.

Always keep in mind that losing weight requires a steady, consistent approach with a weekly weight loss goal of 1% because doing so too quickly can be harmful to your health. Furthermore, you should be aware that losing weight is not a linear process and that you may see an initial increase in weight loss. 

Last but not least, early weight loss increases the risk of weight gain, therefore maintaining healthy body weight is essential to reaching your target.

Conclusion

Therefore, it is imperative to keep in mind that weight loss is not a sprint or relay race; rather, it is a steeplechase that you must cross with the support of your trainer. A physiotherapist may be able to act as a game-changer catalyst that will allow you to succeed in your weight loss journey. 

In case you or someone in your family is experiencing weight loss problems, please contact the best physiotherapist consultant, Dr. Mansi Sahani (Senior Consultant Physiotherapist trained in treating musculoskeletal pains, arthritis, and neurological disorders with 11 years of experience), at HealthyBazar.