Abstract:
Introduction: Practical trial highlights the gut microbiota’s role in modulating systemic inflammation, influencing nutrient availability, and immune function, which directly enhances muscle injury recovery and play a critical role in tissues repair and overall rehabilitation outcomes. This study explores how practical dietary strategies which support gut health can accelerating recovery of musculoskeletal injuries and joints inflammation and integrating them into physical therapy protocols without the need for microbiome analysis.
Methods: A cohort of patients undergoing physical therapy for musculoskeletal injuries was provided with evidence-based dietary guidelines to promote gut health. These included the incorporation of probiotic-rich foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir), prebiotic fibers (e.g., oats, bananas), and anti-inflammatory nutrients (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). Recovery outcomes such as pain reduction, range of motion, and muscle strength were assessed over 4 weeks rehabilitation program.
Results: Patients who adopted the gut-health-focused dietary recommendations experienced faster reductions in muscle soreness and inflammation markers, as well as improved strength and functional recovery compared to the control group following standard rehabilitation alone. The addition of fermented foods and anti-inflammatory nutrients showed a noticeable impact on subjective pain scores and mobility improvements.
Conclusion: Improving gut health through simple dietary modifications can accelerate recovery from muscle injuries, reduce joint inflammation and enhance the efficacy of physical therapy interventions. This approach avoids the delays associated with microbiome testing and provides immediate benefits for patients. Incorporating gut-health strategies into rehabilitation protocols offers a promising avenue for improving physical therapy outcomes .
