GLP-1 Medications: What Ortho PTs Need to Know

Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum, PT, MPT, ATC, DSc, SCS and Lori Thein Brody, PT, ATC, PhD, SCS for the next episode of Did You Know?, featuring guest Dave, a fellow healthcare professional. In this episode, Dave shares his personal experience layering a GLP-1 medication onto an already health-conscious lifestyle — including his initial skepticism, the conversation with his primary care doctor that changed his mind, and what happened when "food noise" disappeared almost overnight.The conversation digs into the biopsychosocial layers of weight management, the critical role of protein intake and resistance training in preserving muscle and bone density while on a GLP-1, the risks of rapid or unsupported weight loss (including a caution about renal failure from dehydration), and why the goal should always be health rather than thinness alone. Jill and Lori bring in the current research — from Delphi consensus guidelines on nutrition and exercise prescription for GLP-1 patients to data on psychiatric and quality-of-life outcomes — while Dave offers the lived, day-to-day reality of navigating stigma, cost, and long-term maintenance. If you work with patients on or considering a GLP-1, this episode will sharpen how you counsel them on strength training, protein, and sustainable outcomes.Target Audience: Orthopedic physical therapists, sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, physical therapy researchers, physical therapy educators, student physical therapistsWant more content like this? Join APTA Orthopedics to access exclusive courses, research, and clinical resources designed to help you stay at the forefront of orthopedic physical therapy: https://www.orthopt.org/content/join Supporting Research Mentioned in This Episode:Mulcahy J, DeLaRosby A, Norwood T. Transforming Care: Implications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Physical Therapist Practice. Physical Therapy. 2025;105:pzaf061.https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z0axu0477ioaw476bvhjp/PTj.pdf?rlkey=vyph00j719gu6ot3ui11qwuse&st=atfgj3nv&dl=0Sievenpiper JL, Ard J, Blüher M, et al. Nutritional and Lifestyle Supportive Care Recommendations for Management of Obesity with GLP-1-Based Therapies: An Expert Consensus Statement Using a Modified Delphi Approach. Obesity Pillars. 2026;17:100228. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gja03vmfsxmdzmnl2efqx/Modified-delphi.pdf?rlkey=79577660qen013vct6dptarrj&st=si69e45n&dl=0