Have you ever noticed how many people going for physical therapy or to an orthopedic doctor are overweight or obese? Don't they have a clue?

Being overweight severely impacts your skeletal system, so it makes sense.
That being said, I was put back together by one of the best surgeons in the country. He went to Sochi with the Ski and Snowboard team. My PT office was full of good-looking and in shape athletes full of drive. Or former athletes/aged athletes that weren’t ready to give up. Generally people that hurt themselves playing outside. The motivation in that office was wonderful.

At least they still have more common sense than those who decide to treat their obese by themselves at home using various… “effortless” ways…

Sometimes weight issues may be beyond their control. Plenty of medical issues result in weight gain. Also, the original injury/disability may have prevented them from getting necessary exercise. You can’t assume that they are in PT because their weight caused an injury.

I worked at a PT office in NYC for several years, and the vast majority of our patients were quite fit because our focus was on sports medicine. Large segments of the various athletic communities in NYC heard about us by word of mouth – marathon runners and Broadway performers, mostly – and they are tightly-knit groups and hurt themselves a lot.

I’ve also been to PT a few times myself in other offices in Colorado and in the city, and have never noticed the pattern you mention. Granted, both these locations are known for having a large number of fit people – or conversely, maybe there’s just a lot of overweight folks in your area.

I’m 6’1”, 163lbs and I go to PT for my back and neck. So far, most of the people I have seen there have been in great shape.

Having just spent months in PT, I noticed people of all sizes and shapes…really a reflection of the general demographics, even though I know that obesity is becoming a bigger issue in the US.

Injuries, joint replacement rehabiltation, pre-op PT. for joint replacement, flair-up of chronic issues like lower back or tennis elbow or computer wrist strain. There were several high school students and a broad age range of adults.

The facility also offers a gym-like membership; for a small amount per week or month, one can get an custom exercise program and then come in and use their equipment…all the aerobic machines, free weights and gadgets. Just like joining a very user-friendly gym. They were mostly an older crowd but not overweight.

The question is, what came first, the overweight or the injury? Maybe 75% of the time the overweight came first, which causes more injury. 25% of the time the injury came first and prevents the person from getting the movement they need to keep a reasonable degree of fitness. Just a guess.

If your username is indicative of where you live, there are probably a fair amount of injuries (broken bones and joint damage) incurred from winter sports and conditions (falls on ice, upper body tears and strains from shoveling snow). Such injuries usually need some time to heal and/or be repaired before PT starts, and heavy exercise is often contraindicated, weight is gained.

Re your last sentence: do you want us to make fat jokes?

My osteoarthritis was caused by overusing my knees, due to protecting my lower back. I was never overweight. I just aged and picked things up by squatting rather than bending over.

Can’t seem to find this amusing. Sorry.

The first thing my dad said to me when I got hurt was “Don’t get fat because you can’t exercise.” Although he was blunt, the concern is there.
Fortunately for me my hands were full of crutches for more than 6 months. Weight gain was not an issue for me. I couldn’t carry food around. I also started kayaking the second I got permission from my doc. Friends were there to get my boat in the water and carry me across the sand to the boat. I just had orders to stay close to shore because I couldn’t kick in a locked out brace, but without paddling I would have lost my mind.

Knowing something is bad for one and being able to apply the knowledge are two different things. Who doesn’t know that such things as bad dietary habits and no physical exercise, smoking, party drug use and texting while driving are dangerous to one’s health and well being, but a lot of people still do it.

A lot of American routine health problems go back to weight. It’s hard to control your weight given the typical American lifestyle. I suspect you can be conscious of that, but still not have the willpower or time to solve the problem.

Personally, when I spent some time in the suburbs, my weight exploded. It was harder to exercise, and shitty food was just very convenient.

Consider that perhaps they have a physical condition that limits their ability to be physically active and the weight gain is a byproduct of that, plus the depression that can come from having a chronic pain and/or debilitating conditions which might lead one to overeat comfort foods. I know people who were once very athletic and active, but then suffered knee injuries that sidelined them and now struggle with their weight. Look at how many former professional athletes shill diet programs because they ballooned once they retired.

Weight is a complex problem, and I don’t think people should be judged by appearances – whether skin tone, gender or BMI. Prejudice sucks.

All the friends and family members I know who go for PT are not in any way overweight. Right now, I can’t think of one friend or family member who doesn’t get PT.

Most people who are overweight or obese know they have a problem. They are reminded of it daily. Of course they have a clue. sorry, but you won’t be getting fat jokes from me.

Hey guys, lighten up. I didn’t start this as an Addy hates fat people and wants fat jokes thread. I was just making an observation. I think our area has more overweight people than some areas, so maybe I’m just seeing the average population around here. I was just looking for some humor on a Friday. How many disparaging comments have you seen from me?

You didn’t want fat jokes but you were looking for humor? Which is it? You had to have some idea that some of us wouldn’t find the humor in your question. Not trying to be mean, but it helps to know your audience.

@Adirondackwannabe : To answer your question directly: “How many disparaging comments have you seen from me?” ; since I’ve joined, I’ve seen enough “disparaging” things from you to be noted. Your “too stupid to reproduce” question, some of your remarks on the tattoo thread, the details in your flood insurance question, and now your “overweight and clueless” references here all strike me as being rather mean-spirited in nature. I see no point in going back further, or searching through threads in which I was not participating, but I doubt these are the only examples.

Right now, I’m superbummed because I’ve been off work due to neck and back issues and I’ve gone from a size 34 to a size 36. Grrrrr. I wouldn’t say ‘hefty’ but I like me and my clothes better at 110 and not 125.

It’s probably an incorrect assumption that they don’t have a clue.
Also, what are you assuming would be different if they do have a clue, or more precisely, the clue that you have?