It’s that time of year when we all are assessing how we can do things better this year. Of course as physical therapists, we love new year resolutions such as losing weight, getting to the gym more often or getting into "better shape." After all more activity is great for your health, energy levels, sleep and mood, right? 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. An evaluation by your PT will include assessment of your strength, range of motion, and functional movement patterns - think jumping, running, squatting, carrying. At Compass Physical Therapy, we also like to use the Selective Functional Movement Assessment Screen to discover underlying dysfunctional movement patterns.
Most common injuries from new fitness routines are caused by underlying weakness, range of motion deficits, or compensatory movement patterns. Once we have a big picture of your strengths and weaknesses, we can then prescribe exercises or movements to address the issues found and get you safely moving into the new year!
Another common way people get injured working towards their resolution is with over-training, or doing too much too soon. Physical therapists are also experts in exercise prescription and program design. Our PTs will help you create a routine specific to your needs and goals that will progress you appropriately and keep you out of trouble.
So rather than wait for an injury to see your PT, consult with us first and start off on your best foot in the new year. 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!
Need more encouragement to move forward with anything this year? Check out all the benefits of being physically active, celebrating your successes and practicing gratitude. And remember—It’s never too late to make a change and change is easier when you have someone to help. Contact us today
Adapted from the APTA’s Private Practice Section