Many people know that good nutrition is the pathway to good health. But, many don’t realize that good nutrition can also help with those aches and pains. Combine good nutrition with physical therapy, and it’s a powerful duo.
Nutrition and Physical Therapy
“A systematic review and meta-analysis in the 2017 European Journal of Nutrition found that a Mediterranean-style eating pattern exerts a protective effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is associated with smaller gains in BMI and waist circumference.
Nutritional interventions are alone useful tools to improve overall health outcomes in patients, and specifically reduce inflammation. Low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress underlie chronic osteoarthritis. Patients with poor nutrition habits who undergo physical therapy may notice a decrease in pain within as little as 4 days with the right diet. You will note a decrease of inflammation, a decrease of edema, an improved metabolic profile, a decrease of nociception, and improvements in function. When you combine nutrition with therapeutic exercise it is a powerful combination that sets you up for success and with this valuable health skill.”
Nutrition and the Physical Therapist
Every physical therapist knows that nutrition plays a critical role in the healing process from musculoskeletal injury. The phases of healing include inflammation, proliferation and remodeling. Keep in mind that excess inflammation will cause cell damage to healthy tissue. To take control of inflammation, a physical therapist will advise that patients increase consumption of omega-3. This nutrient can be found in avocado, almonds, fish oil, olive oil and pecans. A physical therapist will also advise you to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet. That’s because these foods are rich in antioxidants and contain pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The phases of proliferation and remodeling are centered on preventing atrophy and enhancing soft tissue repair. Musculoskeletal injuries are related to the inability of muscle to synthesize protein. As a result, strength is decreased. Incorporating protein into your diet will help prevent muscle atrophy. A physical therapist is a good resource to learn more about good nutrition.
Although a physical therapist is movement specialize, a physical therapist can provide basic food nutrition information to help you make healthier lifestyle choices. A physical therapist can help you develop an individualized nutrition plan. It’s part of their holistic treatment plan.
Most people see a physical therapist for pain without realizing that good nutrition can help alleviate their pain. For example, it has been found that good nutrition combined with physical therapy has helped patients with osteoarthritis, neuropathy, spinal pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome and more. Good nutrition is always part of a physical therapist’s treatment plan, and it is effective.
If you’re seeing a physical therapist, let them know about your daily diet. They will educate you about food and give advice on what foods are important for healing and decreasing pain. And the good news is that you won’t have to eliminate taste for nutrition. There are plenty of tasty foods that are healthy for you to enjoy.
