Time for Food--Including Nutrition on Physiatrists' Tables

Abstract

Unhealthy nutrition is a leading factor in various rehabilitation diagnoses such as stroke and several musculoskeletal complications. Further, the association between nutrition, pain management, and brain plasticity support the importance of having rehabilitation patients follow healthy nutrition guidelines. The goal of this brief report is to emphasize the importance of nutritional counseling to physiatrists and to briefly describe recommended communication skills, behavioral change strategies, and opportunities for interprofessional collaborations. Potential next steps aimed at prescribing nutrition within physiatry clinics are provided. Incorporating healthy nutrition in the physiatrist's personal and professional life presents an opportunity for a meaningful change. Physiatrists can lead the way one bite at a time. The time for a healthy approach to food is now.