The last few years have been A LOT, and well, they really haven’t stopped being A LOT for many people. As a new year begins, a new hope for positive changes also begins. If you’re looking for the “how” to getting 2024 off to a better start, I have a few suggestions for you: Start. Start with the things you do each day. Some of my favorite things to teach patients are the simple, everyday things.
Regular exercise and activity will help you keep your strength through the lifespan. They will help you continue doing the things you love - better and longer. Struggling or have questions? Schedule time for one of our PTs to do a one-on-one evaluation to get you back on track. We want you to get back to Living Your Best Life. These PT Pro Tips are brought to you by our Racine therapist, Katie Schaul PT, DPT. Fun Facts About Katie: Oofda is her favorite Midwest phrase. She has lived all over the states, but came back to the Midwest because of family. Midwest people are her favorite; being the most genuine people and they both appreciate and understand sarcasm.
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Physical therapy and nutrition are often seen as separate, but the truth is, they are deeply intertwined. To get the most out of PT, especially after an injury or surgery, integrating both is crucial. Here's why: Food Fuels The Body During recovery from an injury or surgery, your body is working to heal itself. The activities and exercises you're doing in PT are designed to help it along. To take advantage of all the work you and your body are putting in, proper nutrition is critical. Protein provides the building blocks for tissue repair and muscle growth. Carbohydrates provide energy and help support your immune system. Your body also needs healthy fats to regulate inflammation and to build certain cells. Being short on any of these critical components will slow your recovery down. You also need enough micronutrients, like vitamins and minerals. For example, vitamin C is needed to make collagen, which goes into bones, skin, and connective tissue. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is important for healing fractures, or surgeries involving bones. Iron helps your blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, which is needed for healing in general. Again, being low on any of these micronutrients will affect your healing. Your Weight Affects Your Health Being overweight directly affects your health. It puts you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, back pain, diabetes, sleep apnea, and more. All of these are conditions that you might see a PT directly for, or that will impact your healing. Eating a healthy diet is the most effective way to reduce body weight. Combining a healthy diet with exercise is even better for your health. As an example, an 18-month study of 450 people with knee osteoarthritis showed that the group that lost weight through a diet and exercised had less pain, better walking speed, and lower joint forces in their knees than groups who either only lost weight, or only exercised. How can a physical therapist help with nutrition? While PTs are not authorized to provide individual diet plans or medical nutritional advice, they can still help with your nutrition.
Finally, your PT can recognize when your nutrition needs exceed what they are able to provide. In that case, they can refer you to and collaborate with a registered dietician or other qualified healthcare professional for help in dealing with complex nutritional needs or recommending specific dietary changes. By combining the power of physical therapy and nutrition, you can achieve your recovery goals faster and feel your best! References:
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