Heart disease is one of the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, someone in the U.S. dies from heart disease approximately every 34 seconds. That sounds pretty scary! The good news though, is that cardiovascular disease can sometimes be preventable. One of the most powerful forms of medicine is regular, guided movement.
Most often, people think of physical therapy as a person you see after surgery or a sports injury. While we are definitely experts in fixing knees in backs, we can also play a role in your health a different way. One of the most important muscles that a physical therapist will work to strengthen isn't your leg or arm, it's your heart!
At Advantage Physical Therapy, with convenient locations in Falls Church, VA and Reston, VA, we help patients improve strength, mobility, and endurance while also protecting long-term heart health. We get your whole body moving!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. However, many adults in Falls Church, Reston, and the surrounding Northern Virginia communities struggle to meet that goal. Sometimes an old nagging injury flares up, or you are afraid of "doing to much" after a health scare that keeps you on a couch.
This is where physical therapy becomes your heart's best friend!
A physical therapist is a movement specialist. They look at how your whole body moves, not just the specific painful joint. While your body is moving, we can monitor how your heart and lungs respond to that movement.
Here is how a physical therapist can help you go from staying still to getting active:
You don't need to be a marathon runner to improve your heart health. Activities like brisk walking, swimming, or even gardening can make a massive difference. The key is consistency and safety.
If you've been hesitant to get moving, or if pain is standing in your way, consider a physical therapy evaluation. Your PT can help give your heart the support it needs to keep you moving for years to come.
Opened in 2009, Advantage Physical Therapy has helped individuals across Northern Virginia stay active, recover safely, and improve overall health.
Whether you are returning to activity after injury, recovering from a heart attack, stroke, or cancer, managing chronic pain, looking to safely improve endurance, or trying to reduce your risk of heart disease, our team of experienced physical therapists will develop a personalized program tailored to your goals and medical history. We have two convenient locations located in Reston, VA and Falls Church, VA.
