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Muscle Matters: The Hidden Costs of Weight Loss Drugs & How to Rebuild Strength
From “Ozempic Butt” to Joint Pain—Why Lean Mass Loss Hurts More Than You Think (And What You Can Do About It)

🎯 Main Takeaway
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro help with weight loss—but up to 40% of that loss may come from lean body mass, not just fat. This includes critical skeletal muscle that stabilizes your hips and knees, impacting mobility, function, and long-term health. Without targeted muscle-building, patients risk increased joint pain, metabolic slowdown, and future weight regain as fat—not muscle.
Tip of the Day💡
If you're on or considering a GLP-1 medication, commit to a resistance training program—not just light gym work, but progressive strength training that challenges your muscles and promotes real growth. Bonus: consider modalities like EmSculpt to safely rebuild glute and thigh strength if you've already experienced significant muscle loss..💡
See how we incorporate EmSculpt into our Spine Tower of Power™ Knee Boost System™ and Shoulder Boost System™
“Muscle isn’t just about movement—it’s metabolic currency, structural support, and protection against disease. In regenerative medicine, muscle is medicine."
❓ Three Critical Questions to Ask BEFORE you start taking a GLP-1 Drug:
1. Why do my knees hurt more after losing weight on a GLP-1 drug?
Because you likely lost stabilizing muscle around the knees and hips, reducing your joint support and function.2. Isn’t all weight loss good?
Not if it includes too much lean muscle. Muscle mass protects bones, supports joints, regulates metabolism, and keeps your insulin sensitivity high.3. What happens if I stop the medication without rebuilding muscle?
You risk regaining weight—mostly as fat—along with increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality due to low muscle mass and metabolic slowdown.
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Perfect Amino is a supplement containing pure, essential amino acids in a specific ratio designed to be up to 99% utilized by the body for protein and collagen building. It's often promoted for muscle recovery, endurance, and potentially reducing false hunger signals.
Essential Amino Acids: Perfect Amino contains all eight essential amino acids (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine, L-Lysine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Threonine, L-Methionine, and L-Tryptophan) in a specific ratio: High Utilization: It's claimed to have a 99% utilization rate by the body, meaning it's efficiently used to build protein and collagen, rather than being stored or metabolized. Rapid Absorption: Perfect Amino is absorbed into the bloodstream in about 23-30 minutes. Low Calorie: One serving of Perfect Amino is equivalent to 30 grams of whey protein but only has 2 calories, making it suitable for those fasting or in ketosis.
Potential Benefits: Perfect Amino is often used for: 1. Muscle Recovery: Helping to repair micro-tears in muscles during and after workouts. 2. Increased Endurance: Supporting muscle function and recovery during exercise. 3. Reduced False Hunger Signals: Providing nutrients that can help regulate hunger cues.
Ingredients: Perfect Amino contains only the eight essential amino acids, with no artificial sweeteners, fillers, or additives. Some formulations include natural sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, and Katemfe fruit.
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Other Notes: Perfect Amino is vegan and free of common allergens like gluten, soy, and dairy
How it works: Perfect Amino's unique formula and rapid absorption allow it to be readily used by the body to build and repair muscle tissue, particularly during and after exercise. The 99% utilization rate ensures that the body can efficiently use the amino acids for protein synthesis without unnecessary calories. metabolism, the antioxidant properties of alpha lipoic acid also promote healthy vascular and blood vessel function.*

TLDR
GLP-1 agonists may reduce the number on the scale, but they also shrink the muscle mass that protects your joints, powers your movements, and fuels your metabolism. In this video, Dr. Tammy Penhollow explains how Emsculpt™, in combination with resistance training, can restore strength and stability—especially in the glutes, quads, and hamstrings.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Emsculpt builds muscle, not just tones it—producing 20,000 supramaximal contractions in a single 30-minute session.
Muscle loss leads to joint instability, especially around the hips and knees, resulting in new or worsening pain despite weight loss.
Emsculpt is especially effective for patients struggling to regain strength post-weight loss, post-injury, or post-surgery.
Combining Emsculpt with targeted strength training helps rebuild a metabolic “engine” and prevent rebound weight gain.
Results are not cosmetic only—this is about function, gait stability, and long-term musculoskeletal health.
❓Q & A ❓
Q1:”Isn’t Emsculpt just a cosmetic device?”
A1: No—while it's often marketed for aesthetic contouring, I use it to rebuild function and stability in patients with muscle loss from GLP-1s, injury, or aging.
Q2: “Can I just do squats and lunges instead?”
A2: Strength training is essential, but not everyone can jump into high-load exercises. Emsculpt is a safe, effective bridge to regain foundational strength.
Q3: “How quickly will I feel the difference?”
A3: Many patients report improved stability and strength after just a few sessions, especially when paired with functional rehab or resistance training.
“"Muscle is not just for movement—it’s a metabolic organ, a glucose sink, and the foundation of vitality. If you want to live better, build muscle."
— Dr. Allan Mishra, Founder of Dare to Be Vital
Struggling with joint or spine pain? You’re not alone.
Dr. Penhollow, a joint and spine pain expert, explains how muscle tightness, weak glutes, poor squat form, and daily habits can contribute to knee discomfort. Learn how proper stretching, strengthening, and movement techniques can help you squat pain-free and keep your knees healthy. Learn how we use high quality high dose PRP and BMAC to reduce pain and inflammation and improve function!
Give your body the right tools and take control of your knee pain with these simple changes!
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