Research Proves What Physical Therapists have been saying for years!

“ Diet and lifestyle may plan a much more significant role in a person’s ability to respond favourably to certain drugs, including some cancer therapies, than previously understood…” ScienceDaily (Jan.20th, 2008)A study published in Nature Genetics, by the University of Manchester researches, suggest that, ideally, when therapeutic drugs are administered, that the persons diet and lifestyle should be taken into consideration, when attempting to project the possible beneficial effect.

As a physical therapist, I wonder.  Why do we spend so much time and money on the obvious.  When you meet a client for the first time, the initial evaluation is as much as determining the health of the patient as a whole, as it is assessing the injury they may have. 

  What are the factors determining a healthy diet and lifestyle. Diet is simple.  Eat moderately, and eat lean meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, root vegetables, and nuts.  Avoid grains, dairy foods, and salt.   Described as a paleo diet. Some use a modified ZONE diet.  (see “Original Human ‘Stone Age’ diet is good for people with diabetes, study finds” ScienceDaily June 28, 2007.)  Whatever you call it,  it works.  So, stay away from the processed food, grains means breads, pastas, rice its carbohydrate. Now the concept of lifestyle is harder to define.  

But for a healthcare worker there are three components to lifestyle. The first is about attitude, emotional health, a stimulated mind, a desire for activity, and/or your ability to work at something you want.  A goal-oriented like dedication.  This requires great emotional health, and an attitude.  Having a plan, a place you are going, or simply a belief in your outcome is very important as well.  In my 12+ years of experience, I have worked with a few clients that: ate amazingly well, got plenty of rest, did the exercises, and still didn’t get better.  For to recover, and heal from an injury, surgery,  serious training, or athletic endeavor takes  the ability to process the cause and effect, and get on with it.  Pain, stiffness, soreness, swelling, are all bit players in the play of you getting better.  They will all play a part.  A persons ability to understand that, and work with it, and through it is an intangeable that results in either success or staying the same.The second is getting quality rest.  

For those of you who have had the unfortunate experience of being rehabilitated by me.  You should remember my lecturing on ‘Don’t fight the nap, give into it!.  Set aside the time, turn off all music, the T.V. and give into the nap!”  As well as, the classic. “Get your sleep!”  My friend Robb Wolf, is a well known badgerer on the principles of going to bed when the sun goes down. Without adequate rest, your body cannot do its magic.  Healing is an amazing thing, and you need to give the body the time it needs.  The last one, is following an activity regimen.  Specific to your problem, but individualized to your whole needs.  You must take into account your functional abilities, and your overall strength and tolerance to activity, as well as, having components or activities specific to your injury.   For specialist like me, this is where I can make the difference between a great result and good.  But my true talent comes in intermixing the below ingredients to a dedicated activity regimen

  Constant attitude and motivational priming,                                                                       Solid education so you understand,                                                                               Decreased anxiety and fear                                                                                                 Tips on your diet and constant references to the importance of rest.  

  Once  I can get a patient on board with great outlook, good nutrition, and adequate rest.  The rest is easy.  At least that’s how it may appear.

Thanks for reading!Mark   S