Few people realise that gastrointestinal tract has a major impact on the state of our muscles. Unfortunately, many active physiotherapists overlook healthy eating, and this does not bode well. The body should not only be taken care of from the outside, but also from the inside.
Gastrointestinal tractand muscle work
Gastrointestinal tract indirectly affects muscle function. How does this happen? When receptors located in the stomach or intestines are irritated, they give a signal to the nervous system, more specifically to the reflex arc. As a result of this action, tension in the muscles increases. It is difficult to fight this reaction; it is a natural reflex. The simplest action is increased exercise and a healthier diet. What we eat has a very strong impact on our musculoskeletal system.
Poor nutrition and its impact on the neuromuscular system
Nowadays, many people are eating increasingly poorly. Foods are dominated by saturated fatty acids, simple sugars and many synthetic additives such as flavourings or preservatives. All this has a negative impact on gastrointestinal tractand consequently on the whole body. Physiotherapists often do not make the connection between back pain and stomach pain or increased muscle tension and a weekend spent drinking heavily. What is more, from a medical point of view, the internal organs conduct impulses with C-type fibres; these are nonmyelinated, i.e. they conduct pain impulses poorly.
Muscles, on the other hand, use group A fibres, which are myelinated and quickly let us know about abnormalities in the body. If something negative happens to our digestive system, the musculoskeletal system is the first to inform us. Our body is designed so that we do not feel every bite we experience or swallow, because if we did, we would experience considerable discomfort while eating.
A holistic approach to the body
When using the services of a physiotherapist, it is important to take into account the fact that muscle pain can come from elsewhere, e.g. it can be blamed on gastrointestinal tract. It is now particularly important to pay attention to healthier eating. December is a festive season spent with the family. Tables are always laden with delicious dishes. During this time, it is important to remember to get enough exercise. Christmas is a time that can be used to go for walks or play with your closest family members. It is important to remember that any inflammation in the digestive tract as a result of unhealthy food will have a negative impact on our musculoskeletal system.
