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APTA Looks at Functional Limitations in Patients Prescribed Exercise

Grace Walker

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Based in Orange, California, Dr. Grace Walker has treated patients at Walker Physical Therapy and Pain Center since for more than 35 years in the areas of orthopedics, sports medicine, and spinal care, and other specialties. Active in her profession, Dr. Grace Walker is a longtime member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Even though doctors increasingly advise overweight patients that they need to exercise to lose weight, a new study indicates that one-third of patients aren’t functionally able to engage in the kind of exercise plans their doctors recommend. The study was recently published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, a peer-reviewed APTA journal. According to the research data, about 31 percent of patients who were prescribed exercise by a doctor reported some functional limitation that prevented them from actually doing the exercises.
According to researchers, physical therapists could play a key role in helping to bridge this divide. Since functional limitations and obesity are inter-connected, an experienced physical therapist is often times the most qualified health professional to help tailor a specific plan to help these individuals. A comprehensive physical therapy plan can help these patients get the exercise they need to start losing weight while still working within their functional abilities.
For an appointment with an expert Physical Therapist call Walker Physical Therapy and Pain Center at 714-997-5518.