At Swiss Ortho Clinic / Dr.E. physiotherapy center, we’re convinced that to optimize the benefits of treatment and rehabilitation exercises, it’s essential to adopt a holistic approach. And nutrition is an integral part of this. Eating well doesn’t just mean “watching your weight”, but above all supporting your body in its reconstruction, performance and recovery.
From the age of fifty onwards, protein requirements increase in order to effectively support muscle synthesis. It therefore becomes crucial to adapt protein intake to prevent loss of muscle mass and strength, particularly in the context of a strengthening program proposed by physiotherapists. Proteins play a key role in tissue repair and in stimulating muscle fiber synthesis. At the same time, carbohydrates and lipids provide the energy required for regeneration processes.
By supporting rehabilitation care, nutrition promotes muscle recovery and reduces inflammation.
1. The right diet to build muscles
When you follow a strength training program with our physiotherapists, your body needs the right nutrients to build muscle, gain strength and recover effectively. A diet rich in quality proteins, good fats and complex carbohydrates helps :
- A better muscle synthesis
- A faster recovery after exercise
- An overall improvement in your physical performance
To preserve and rebuild muscle mass:
- Essential proteins and amino acids
- Vitamins D and B12
- Complex carbohydrates
2. Reducing inflammation through diet
Certain chronic pains and disorders are sustained by an inflammatory state in the body. Certain foods promote this inflammation, while others help to soothe it.
Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can really make a difference to :
- Reduce joint pain
- Improve daily comfort
- Promote a better response to physiotherapy care
To reduce chronic inflammation:
- Omega-3, polyphenols, natural antioxidants
- Vitamins A, C, E, zinc, magnesium
A pro-inflammatory diet can slow muscle recovery and limit the benefits of physiotherapy. Conversely, high-quality lipids, such as omega-3s, help reduce inflammation and improve tissue healing.
3. Find out more from our nutritionist
Our qualified nutritionist, Vivian Seulin, will support you in this process. She offers :
- Personalized nutritional assessments
- Body composition analyses (muscle mass, fat mass, etc.)
- Tailor-made support to help you achieve your health, performance and recovery goals.
In the case of difficulty in covering needs through diet alone, nutritional supplements may be considered. In this case, professional support is required to ensure an adequate and appropriate intake.
After physical effort, a light snack rich in protein and carbohydrates can effectively support muscle fiber repair and prevent muscle soreness.
We’re all different: our age, gender, activity level, metabolism, goals and state of health all influence our nutritional needs. That’s why it’s essential to avoid “one-size-fits-all” approaches, and to focus instead on a personalized nutritional plan.
Before taking supplements, it’s best to start with a balanced, diversified diet. Vitamins and minerals present in unprocessed foods are better assimilated, as they act in synergy with other naturally present nutrients.
Good nutrition not only helps you achieve your goals – whether it’s building muscle mass, improving recovery or reducing inflammation – but also prevents age-related pathologies such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis or frailty, which can compromise long-term quality of life.
With the right guidance, you can support your body in a targeted and effective way.
Because nutrition is just as important as physiotherapy care, we urge you to take advantage of this valuable resource.
👉 Want to optimize your physiotherapy results? Make an appointment with Vivian Seulin for nutritional support tailored to your needs.
