Vitalis PRESERVE

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Protect Your Muscle While You Lose Weight

Modern weight loss therapies like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) can help people lose significant weight — but many patients are unaware that up to 60% of that weight loss can come from loss of muscle mass. Maintaining metabolically active muscle mass is key to healthy weight loss.

At Vitalis, we understand that weight loss should make you feel stronger, not weaker. That’s why we created VitalisPRESERVE — a physiotherapist-led programme designed to preserve your muscle, protect your joints, and preserve your movement throughout your weight loss journey.

Our approach combines:

  • A thorough history taken identifying present or old injuries

  • Biomechanics and muscle strength screening

  • Targeted strength and conditioning programme designed to build muscle mass

  • Expert physiotherapy supervision

This helps safeguard your metabolism, physical function, and long-term success — especially if you’re reducing calories or have low baseline muscle mass.

There are numerous medical research studies highlighting lean body mass loss with modern weight loss therapies. As highlighted in a 2024 review in the peer-reviewed, high-impact factor medical journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, lean mass loss during weight loss therapy can significantly impact your metabolic rate, strength and physical independence, particularly in midlife or older adults.

The authors stress:

“Maintaining muscle health is of paramount importance to preserving physical function in persons with obesity undergoing weight loss…. combining pharmacological therapy with resistance exercise… offers a promising strategy to optimise weight loss and preserve muscle mass.”

— Neeland IJ, Linge J, Birkenfeld AL. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024;26(Suppl 4):16–27. Read the study

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VitalisPRESERVE helps you stay strong, lean and resilient — so you lose fat, not strength.

Specialist Pelvic Physiotherapy

Pregnancy brings incredible changes to the body, but it can leave you vulnerable to discomfort. Our treatment for PGP combines gentle hands-on therapy with targeted, lightweight strengthening exercises to support your body safely throughout pregnancy.

We use:

  • Gentle, hands-on therapy to ease pain

  • Pelvic, hip and core stability exercises

  • Advice on posture, movement and activity modification

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Your Local Sports Physio in Watlington, Oxfordshire

Vitalis Physio is conveniently located at Watlington Wellness Centre, right in the heart of Watlington. Easily commutable from across South Oxfordshire and the Chilterns, with dedicated parking. Book your appointment with our expert sports physio today.

Email: info@vitalisphysio.com

Address: 1 Cuxham Road, Watlington, OX49 5JW

Phone: 07432 690233

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  • What Our Patients Say

    ‘I cannot thank Emma-Jane enough for her professional care. I have been suffering from a persistent sciatic nerve injury and had almost lost hope until I discovered Emma-Jane’s unique approach to treatment. By combining hands on treatment, exercise, dry needling and advice, she alleviated pain and restored my mobility. The professionalism, compassion and attention to detail she demonstrated throughout my treatment were phenomenal. I am extremely happy with the results and highly recommend her services to anyone in need of expert physiotherapy care.’

    Charlie, Whitchurch

  • What our Colleagues Say

    'As a Consultant Sports Physician working closely with athletes of all levels, I have high standards when referring patients for physiotherapy.  Emma-Jane's clinical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment and rehab is exceptional.  What truly sets her apart is her ability to blend evidence-based practice with a supportive compassionate approach and excellent communication.’

    Dr Rhodri Martin, Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine
    Team Doctor, Men’s National Team Football Association of Wales
    Lead Doctor, Welsh Institute of Sport 

  • What Our Patients Say

    I can’t recommend Emma-Jane Harding at Vitalis Physio highly enough. I have mild hip dysplasia in my right hip which became excruciatingly painful over the summer. Within just four weeks of seeing Emma, I was able to walk normally again, and I now continue to see her fortnightly as we work towards getting everything fully back to normal.

    Emma takes her profession very seriously and has an exceptional understanding of the body. Her attention to detail, focus, and the way she explains things have been phenomenal. What really makes the difference is not just seeing her, but also following the rehab she sets - it’s every bit as important as the sessions themselves.

    If you’re experiencing pain, I would wholeheartedly recommend going to see Emma-Jane. She’s been brilliant and has made a huge difference for me.

    James C

  • What Our Patients Say

    It was Emma-Jane’s expertise in hip and other conditions, together with her extensive experience that were the deciding factors in booking an appointment with her at Watlington Wellness Centre, after a painful hip had not eased after a few sessions with an osteopath (I now know I should have seen a physio!).

    I knew I was in safe, professional and thorough hands from the first appointment – Emma-Jane confirmed I had developed gluteal tendinopathy as a result of my outside hip muscles working overtime to compensate for weakness in my hip flexors, inner thigh muscles and hamstrings. She also wrote a letter for my GP requesting an X-ray. A few weeks on and my bespoke exercise plan, which she reviews and updates each session, plus soft tissue release and dry needling around my hip muscles has all made a difference and I am delighted that I am improving.

    I am so glad I found Emma-Jane and I highly recommend her.

    Sarah C

  • What Our Patients Say

    Highly recommend Emma-Jane, I have seen various practitioners for my neck and shoulder and Emma-Jane is the only one who has made a lasting difference. She uses a combination of hands on physical therapy, medical acupuncture and exercises to produce the desired result. She is also a very kind and understanding practitioner, who takes the time to listen to problems thoroughly without rushing and explains what she is doing at every step.

    Sarah D