If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have received a COVID-19 vaccination, chances are you may be experiencing some side effects as many of our patients have – here are some ways Physical Therapy can help ease those symptoms and keep you moving!
After a year of lockdowns and a winter filled with unpredictable storms and cold temperatures, so many of us have been moving less and living severely sedentary lives. You may be feeling more stiff, achy and fatigued than ever – add the side-effects of a vaccine on top of that and you certainly may feel even worse. Though this is a “necessary evil” you do not have to suffer from severe post-vaccine symptoms. As many of our patients have proclaimed, they have all felt better AFTER a physical therapy session full of guided movement and mindful interventions. Our main goal and purpose at Universus Physical Therapy is to keep you moving and enjoying all of life’s pleasures. Here are some tips we believe will help get you moving and feel well post COVID vaccination.
Here Are Some Tips We Believe Will Help Get You Moving And Feel Well Post COVID Vaccination.
TIP 1
Hydrate
Drinking a sufficient amount of water each and every day is vital for many reasons: regulating body temperature, keeping muscles hydrated and joints lubricated, delivering nutrients to cells and keeping our organs functioning properly. Being adequately hydrated also improves quality of sleep, cognition and mood.
TIP 2
Stretching
Maintaining a thorough stretching routine keeps the muscles flexible, strong and healthy. We need this flexibility to maintain our range of motion in our joints.
TIP 3
Vitamin Supplementation
- Vitamin C: is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all the body’s tissues. It is heavily involved in many body functions most importantly the proper function of the immune system.
- Vitamin D: is essential to the health and functioning of your immune system. Vitamin D enhances the fighting white blood cells that are important parts of your immune defense, as well as decreases inflammation.
- Zinc: helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses.
- Quercetin: has powerful anti-inflammatory properties as well as the capacity to fight free radicals, prevent infection and relieve allergy symptoms.
TIP 4
Eat well
Eating foods high in antioxidants like many fruits and vegetables will provide your body with the ammunition necessary to combat the side-effects of the vaccine and other infections. Consuming foods high in protein help build the body’s tissues and fight viral and bacterial pathogens. Antibodies and immune system cells rely on protein; too little protein in the diet may lead to symptoms of weakness, fatigue, apathy and poor immunity.
TIP 5
Movement
GET MOVING! Get your heart pumping, blood circulating and elevate your heart rate – your body, mind and immune system will thank you. Even just 30 minutes of walking 3x/week will help the body’s defense against infections.
We will be putting out additional advice for keeping your immune system and body in optimal conditioning. If you would like to be added to our email list, apply here: https://universuspt.com/blog/