Did you know that joint and muscle pain could be a symptom of a problem and not the source of a problem?
Over the past 10 years, I have worked with a variety of people, young and old in helping them with their Physical Therapy goals. Physical Therapy is a great tool to improve pain and mobility. However, sometimes the pain can stem from something much deeper. It is one thing to experience an injury where there is a clear cause of pain. A car accident or a fall can trigger a sudden acute episode of pain that would improve with physical therapy over time.
However, there are those clients that seem to only improve to a certain point but remain in a state of pain that causes them to rely upon medication for relief. Upon further review of potential causes for this; a bigger picture begins to emerge of a diet filled with inflammatory foods, extra weight gain in the belly area, cravings for sugar, irregular bowel movements, and a plethora of chronic diseases including diabetes, IBS, high blood pressure and the list goes on.
First and foremost, we have to medically stop looking at ourselves as a cluster of different health issues. Instead, we have to see ourselves as a whole system that can be affected by one trigger. That's right...I said it. One trigger!
And that trigger is the toxins that we allow into our bodies whether intentionally or unintentionally. Toxins can enter our bodies in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even the food we eat. Either way, our bodies were created with a system of organs that were made to filter out toxins. But what happens when these filters get overrun and the toxins are no longer being removed?
Your body becomes a breeding ground for sickness and disease, aches and pains. So, no matter how good the Physical Therapy is, you still have not resolved the problem until you remove the toxins.
Take the trash out!!
The Gut-Joint Axis
The gut-joint axis is the idea that an unhealthy gut microbiome can contribute to inflammation and joint pain. Dysbiosis is the imbalance in the gut bacteria that can lead to inflammatory molecules exiting the gut and entering the bloodstream reaching the joints. This could lead to a cycle of pain contributing to joint conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory issues that cause pain.
Ways to improve your gut health for overall physical success...
*Testing:
Lab testing of a blood and/or stool sample can help you get an idea of the level of inflammation in your body as well as the health of your gut microbiome. It's a good starting place and we can help with testing in the comfort of your own home.
Reduce inflammation by limiting or eliminating processed foods, inflammatory oils, and refined sugar as they can contribute to inflammation. Focus on a balanced diet rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Fermented foods are a great source of probiotics which improve gut health.
*Please consult with your physician prior to taking any supplements.
If you find it hard to eat enough food with natural pre and probiotics, then the addition of supplements can improve healthy gut bacteria. There are also supplements that target inflammation specifically that can be very beneficial to your health and wellbeing.
Regular physical activity can improve gut health and overall wellness. Exercise also helps to reduce stress which is another trigger for poor gut health.
If you're moving, that means you're living...
But if you keep moving, that means you're thriving!
Book a 30-minute Virtual Consultation to start working toward your wellness goals.
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