The Role of Nutrition in Physical Therapy
January 6, 2025
Nutrition plays a vital role in physical therapy, serving as a cornerstone in the holistic approach to patient care. While physical therapists do not design nutritional plans, it is important to remind our patients that nutrition and physical therapy are interconnected. Improvement in one’s physical condition is greatly influenced by what they consume. A well-balanced diet, coupled with physical therapy, is crucial in a patient’s recovery process, aiding in tissue repair, muscle strength, and overall recovery. We are all familiar with the phases of healing: inflammation, proliferation and remodeling.
During the inflammatory phase, dietary fats play a significant role in managing inflammation. Certain fats signal the movement of blood flow and promote the function of immunity cells, aiding in the body’s response to injury. To combat inflammation, patients should increase their consumption of omega-3 rich foods which include olive oil, avocado, and almonds. Additionally, fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, can aid in controlling inflammation. Conversely, patients should limit their consumption of omega-6 fatty acids found in vegetable oils, fried foods and processed foods.
As the body progresses through the proliferation and remodeling phases, the focus shifts to preventing atrophy and preparing the body to return to full function.
Protein plays a crucial role in this phase, as it helps decrease the severity of muscle atrophy. Including adequate protein into the diet can help maintain muscle mass and support the body’s recovery process. Understanding the role of nutrition in each phase of healing allows us to optimize the recovery process and improve outcomes for our patients.
After a car accident, you may be handling different muscle aches and pains, from seemingly minor to severe. Physical therapy can be a key step in recovery for many car accident victims. Treating your injuries with a licensed physical therapist can address your issues and ensure that the pain does not become chronic. Common Injuries Requiring Physical Therapy After a Car Accident Hampton Roads leads Virginia in car accident rates, with approximately 1.8 crashes per million vehicle miles traveled . With these accidents come a wide range of injuries, many of which require physical therapy to ensure a full recovery. Physical therapy plays a key role in treating injuries that affect movement and cause chronic pain. If you’ve been in a crash, here are some of the most common injuries that may call for rehabilitation: Concussion : Concussions are a form of minor traumatic brain injury that can cause balancing problems, headaches, and other issues. Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that can occur even in minor accidents and cause chronic pain, stiffness, and other symptoms. Soft tissue damage: These injuries include strains, sprains, and tears, often causing pain and reducing range of motion. Back pain: The impact of a collision can lead to chronic pain due to damaged muscles, compressed discs, or irritated nerves. Spinal cord injuries : Spinal injuries can range from relatively minor to severe, and physical therapy is often a key component of recovery. Signs You Need Physical Therapy After an Accident At Dominion Physical Therapy , we often receive referrals from doctors after surgery or when mobility is limited. If you are working with a car accident attorney, physical therapy can help document the full extent of your recovery needs for a legal claim. But even without a referral, it’s important to pay attention to your body. Many symptoms that emerge after a crash can be signs that physical therapy is needed. Some examples can include: You are experiencing lingering or recurring pain. You have a limited range of motion. You might be unable to play sports, spend time with your pets or kids, or do other activities that you used to partake in with ease. In serious cases, limited range of motion can lead to restricted visibility when driving and crossing streets, and can contribute to a second accident. You have weakness, numbness, or tingling. You are having trouble sleeping or difficulty concentrating after the accident. Your balance is affected. This can lead to secondary injury without proper care. You are experiencing chronic migraines or headaches, especially when they were not a problem before the crash. You have stiff or sore muscles or joints, whether in the initial injury or in other areas. Your body may be attempting to compensate for new weakness by overusing other muscles, which can lead to additional problems without treatment. These are just some examples of symptoms that do not always improve on their own after a car accident. Always see a doctor as soon as possible after a car crash, and connect with a licensed physical therapist when you are experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms that you may have lingering issues. Remember that pain is not something to be ignored. Pain is an alert in the body that something needs attention. After a car crash, there may be delayed injuries that surface after the initial shock has worn off. These can be dangerous and even life-threatening when left untreated. Take your body's communications seriously and tell a healthcare provider if you are experiencing new or recurring pain after a car crash. What to Expect in Physical Therapy Following a Car Accident At Dominion Physical Therapy, we perform a thorough physical evaluation to identify the root cause of pain or dysfunction before we begin treatment. We will discuss the accident, any medical care you have received related to the crash, as well as what symptoms you have been experiencing and whether or not they have affected your day-to-day life. From there, our licensed physical therapists will create a personalized treatment plan to address the root cause. We might recommend physical exercises and manual therapy, as well as provide general tips for you to follow to aid your recovery. Besides in-person visits, there may be some additional home activities and exercises that we recommend you do a certain number of times throughout the day for a period of time. Our physical therapy clinic is a resource for our clients helping you heal quickly, and providing personalized care and follow up consultations while you recover. Benefits of Physical Therapy Following a Car Accident Back or neck pain after a car accident, along with other types of issues, can quickly become a serious problem for your job, family, and general well-being. Physical therapy can help you address pain, restore motion, and ultimately recover faster. It can be especially helpful for patients who wish to reduce their reliance on prescription pain medications. In addition, if you choose to pursue a personal injury claim after your accident, physical therapy can play a key role in documenting your injuries and recovery. Brad Huffman , Senior Partner Attorney at Huffman & Huffman Brothers-in-Law, comments, “Physical therapy plays a crucial role not only in a client’s long-term recovery, but also in demonstrating the true extent of their injuries. Consistent treatment helps document the ongoing impact of an accident, which can significantly strengthen a personal injury claim. At Huffman & Huffman, we encourage our clients to follow through with prescribed physical therapy—not just for their health, but to ensure their case reflects the full scope of their recovery journey.” Take the Next Step Toward Recovery With Dominion Physical Therapy & Associates Physical therapy is one of the best ways to not only return to normal after a car accident injury but also to make lasting improvements to your well-being and mobility. Additionally, some of our physical therapy services may be covered by the cost of your insurance, as well as a possible legal settlement after a crash. Our office can connect car accident victims with trusted legal resources in order to explore all of the options open to you. Reach out to Dominion Physical Therapy today for a consultation to see how we may be able to help. "At Dominion Physical Therapy, we provide transformational healing to get you back to feeling your best self" - Dr. Allen R. Jones Jr
D id you know most injuries occur during the summer months? Physical therapists play a crucial role in guiding their patients through injury prevention to ensure a fun and healthy summer. Stretching, staying hydrated, and allowing adequate rest are key when working out in the summer heat. Therapists should emphasize the importance of warm-up and cool-down exercises to reduce the risk of injuries. Warm-ups can consist of dynamic stretching such as arm circles, light jogging, or leg swings to prepare the body for activity. Cool-down exercises, on the other hand , should involve gentle stretching and breathing exercises to help the body recover and reduce muscle stiffness. Therapists should also stress the importance of hydration, especially in the hot summer months. Patients should be encouraged to drink water before, during, and after activities. Exercising in the extreme heat is not advisable, instead, therapists should recommend moving workouts to early mornings or evenings when temperatures are cooler, reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke. Incorporating rest and recovery into workout routines is vital to allow the body to heal and prevent burnout. Therapists should advise patients to implement rest days into their schedules or choose low impact exercises such as swimming or walking. Using a foam roller or participating in gentle yoga can also aid in recovery. Ultimately, the best way to stay safe while exercising in the summer is to listen to your body and consult with a physical therapist. By having these injury prevention conversations, physical therapists can help their patients enjoy the summer months while staying healthy and active.