Eat Your Way To Healing

There’s nothing more frustrating than a sports injury that takes you out of the game.  Did you know that you can eat your way to healing faster?

Injuries commonly have three stages and certain foods are excellent boosters to the healing process.

The Inflammatory Stage

A small amount of inflammation is good for healing an injury.  It removes damaged tissue so the body can replace it.  Too much inflammation can remove too much tissue and prolonged use of anti-inflammatory medication can lead to stomach issues.  Try these natural anti-inflammatories:

  • avocado
  • olive oil
  • oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon
  • nuts and seeds
  • berries such as strawberries and blueberries
  • dark green veggies such as kale, spinach and broccoli
  • tomatoes
  • tumeric
  • ginger
  • garlic and onions
The Proliferation Stage

As the inflammation decreases, the body uses collagen to repair the damaged tissue.  Severe injuries can take as long as 6 weeks for this process.  Oxygen, vitamin C and adequate calories are essential for collagen production.  Be sure that you are eating:

  • protein from lean meats, eggs, beans and legumes
  • fats from fish, avocado, olive oil and nuts
  • fruits and vegetables in abundance for adequate vitamins A and C
  • carbohydrates such as whole grains, rice, sweet potato and quinoa
  • calcium rich foods such as dairy, broccoil, kale and sardines
The Remodeling Stage

The collagen that was laid down in stage two is now being strengthened and realigned to prepare the tissue for normal use.  This can take three weeks to two years to complete!  The nutritional recommendations are the same as in the previous proliferation stage.

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Don’t forget to stay hydrated, get the proper rest, and find out how physical therapy can stretch and strengthen those recovering joints and tissues.

Call today for an appointment.

Twin Falls  208-736-9011    Gooding  208-934-9011

 

This blog is designed to provide general information on pertinent physical therapy topics. The statements made are provided for educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical advice nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Body Balance Physical Therapy or any of its therapists other than the author. This blog is not intended to create a therapist-client relationship between you and Body Balance Physical Therapy. If you have specific questions as to the application of this information to your medical condition, you should seek the advice of your physical therapist.