Do you know the old saying “We are what we eat?” If that’s true, take a moment to think about what you’ve been eating this week. What does that make you? Full of carbs, sugars, or other unhealthy snacks? Or does it mean you’re made up of healthy greens, veggies, lean meats, and fruits? What if you knew that the things you put in your mouth are causing the aches and pains you are experiencing? Fortunately, changing your diet is one of the fastest ways to find relief and a physical therapist can help.
If you’re interested in learning more about how adjusting your diet can affect your pain and inflammation, look no further for help. Call our office today for a free consultation and find out how a physical therapist can help you relieve your aches and pains by helping you change what you eat.
In the meantime, read up on these tips and see what you can do on your own time to improve your diet and eating habits.
What is inflammation?
Healthline states some of the common signs of inflammation:
- body pain
- constant fatigue and insomnia
- depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders
- gastrointestinal issues, like constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux
- weight gain
- frequent infections
As the muscle or joint becomes inflamed, it puts pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves, causing discomfort. In a young, healthy person, inflammation in short bursts is the immune response to injury or illness.
As the immune system declines with age, chronic, malfunctioning inflammation can cause aches, pains, stiffness, osteoarthritis, and a host of other medical conditions. When it comes to aches, pains and stiffness, the root cause is often inflammation.
How can my diet cause inflammation or fight inflammation?
Studies at Harvard have shown that diets rich in whole foods such as vegetables, lean proteins, fruit and whole grains, and low in red meat, dairy, processed foods, trans fats and sugar have the same health benefits as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
In other words, eating a diet that includes chicken, fish, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can reduce inflammation throughout the body and relieve aches and pains. Over time, this type of diet can also reduce your risk of heart disease by 25 percent and help you lose excess weight. What’s not to love here? Two birds one stone, right?
You can lose weight with a healthier diet.
Are you trying to watch your weight? Your diet is one of the best places to start, besides getting more physical activity into your routine!
While your diet can have a direct impact on your aches and pains, the weight loss you experience over time can help you stay pain free for good. For every pound of fat you lose, you reduce the pressure on your knees by 4 pounds. And that is just one joint in your body that benefits from weight loss! Imagine your body thanking you for taking some of the pressure off of your joints!
You don’t need to lose a large amount of weight to feel a difference. Even a 10 pound weight loss can dramatically affect how your feet, knees and hips feel. Best of all, when you make permanent changes to your diet, you are increasing the likelihood of keeping off any excess weight for good. If you aren’t sure how to start eating healthier for weight loss, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor to make sure you don’t shock your body or cause harm to it.
How can a physical therapist help?
We’d like to think we know the best things to eat, but you might be surprised at how many foods are not as healthy as they seem. Finding a diet that reduces your aches and pains is not always easy!
With so much conflicting information about grains, carbs, fats, and protein, you may be more confused than ever before. Fortunately, you don’t have to change your diet alone. Your physical therapist can help. As a movement specialist, they are skilled at crafting both an exercise program for pain free movement and a diet to help you achieve your goals. The best part of all, physical therapy can help you cut through the misinformation and get to the science behind diet and exercise!
Are you ready to get the expert help you deserve?
We’ve got your back when it comes to getting on a path to feeling your best. Call our office today for a free consultation and start using what you eat to become a better you! Trust us, your body will thank you for taking the time to listen to it and take care of it.
