The condition in which degeneration of tissues occurs, physiotherapists play an important role to stimulate regeneration either through their interventions which include exercise plan and electrotherapy modalities. Body tissues during the regeneration process require such nutrients that are also essential for the formation of neurotransmitters. These nutrients need to be included in diet, and have a positive influence on recovery.

Nutrition + Physiotherapy = Recovery

If there’s one goal all physiotherapy patients share, it’s recovery. While physiotherapy alone can certainly help the body recover from trauma, it is aided by good nutrition.

Nutrition depends on the person’s age, activity level, body’s type, gender and degree of injury. Protein which is another form of nutrient for muscle building, minerals like calcium and magnesium work for structural integrity and maintain muscle tone. Similarly, vitamins help in normal function, growth and development of cells.

Patients with nutritional deficiencies have decreased absorption due to infection or stress or increased loss of nutrients, leading to negative changes in gut which shift the human body towards inflammatory symptoms. The need for nutritional education is an important intervention in disease like obesity and diabetes, because a healthy diet is associated with BMI and has positive influence on mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Proper nutrition helps to prevent permeability of intestines and blood brain barrier.

# FOR example - “ for an injured person with fear of weight changes, in this case weight concern is better but under eating is not the only option. Excess calorie intake results in increased fat deposition and inadequate intake leads to muscle loss. Thus, limiting calories will prolong treatment. In case of under-eating patients will get weaker and have more difficulty in muscle rebuilding. So, as a physiotherapist we can guide our patient on how nutrition is important in a patient’s recovery.”

How nutrition effect on healing process -

Healing process is divided into 3 phases:

1. Inflammation

2. Proliferation

3. Remodeling

According to covalent careers

In inflammation, dietary fats including essential fatty acid i.e. Omega 3 limits inflammation. Omega 3 is not formed by our body, so consumption through omega 3 rich foods like olive oil, fish oil, walnuts, avocado and almonds can be added in diet to reduce inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acid like oil, and fried foods should avoid in excess quantity because it is important to take both omega-3 and omega-6 in equal ratio of 1:1

The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables e.g broccoli, citrus fruit, and red grapes will also help in this phase When in phase of proliferation and remodeling it is important to prevent atrophy and repair of soft tissue through protein intake.

Most people know that it’s important to eat a balanced diet. However, they have no idea what a balanced diet is! The media makes healthy eating seem so difficult, but it is simple. Here are a few healthy eating tips that might be useful to a physiotherapy patient:

— Be sure you are eating enough protein. Protein is essential for the rebuilding of muscle. It is particularly important to eat a protein-rich meal or snack after a physiotherapy session or after completing home program exercises.

— Unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare professional, do not follow a low-carb diet. Your body needs carbohydrates for energy. If you do not eat enough carbs, your body may break down your muscle to get the energy it needs. Make things easier on your body by consuming sensible portions of whole grains, yogurt, fruit, and milk.

— Drink water.

— Consume enough fiber to keep your digestive system in good health. Pain medications often cause constipation, but you can help counteract this by drinking water and eating 25-35 grams of fiber each day.

The Link Between Nutrition and Mood

Did you know that eating a balanced diet not only promotes physical health, but emotional health? Good nutrition speeds up the healing process, stabilizes the emotions and generally ministers health to a person’s mind, body and spirit. Stable emotions are an advantage to a person undergoing a physiotherapy program. Those who are in this position are often dealing with a considerable amount of pain and/or have recently experienced some type of bodily trauma, such as an accident or surgery. For these individuals, eating foods that ease emotional duress is important.

For physiotherapy patients, proper nutrition is key to recovery. How exciting that you are given an opportunity to maximize your physiotherapy results every time that you eat. Ask your physiotherapist for more nutrition-related information. Ann Wigmore said, “The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” Starting today, will you eat foods that fortify your body and infuse it with health?

*Note: Please consult a healthcare professional before making major changes to your diet.