Health and fitness have never been more prevalent than they are today. From the popularization of “superfoods” like kale and avocado to the birth of new exercise routines like CrossFit and HIIT — the desire to stay healthy and fit is at an all-time high. As a physical therapy clinic in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, this is a positive change that we’re happy to see.
Now more than ever before, people are eating healthier, exercising more, and living a more balanced, holistic lifestyle. While this is a welcomed change, there’s one significant aspect of someone’s overall health that’s often neglected — the individualization of diet and exercise.
Although there are many standard practices for eating healthy and exercising correctly, each person on this planet is unique and has different health needs. For example, someone could eat what most people consider “healthy foods” — such as spinach or broccoli — but it may not be healthy for that individual or their physiological needs.
There is no straightforward, one-size-fits-all approach to health and fitness. Even a seemingly “healthy” program for nutrition or exercise may not be suitable for everyone.
Take someone who exercises regularly and eats a clean, well-balanced diet. While they may be in shape, their diet or exercise might not be a great fit for the individual’s biology, history, medical needs, or genetic makeup. If they were to switch to a program specifically designed to their needs, they would experience a significant improvement in their overall wellness.
This is not to say that eating healthy and exercising more is bad. Instead, to maximize the health benefits, an exercise program should be customized to the individual. This is why injury rehabilitation programs in Bethesda and Chevy Chase are designed specifically for the patient or client. To improve health or recover from an injury effectively, a program must be customized to a patient’s unique fitness level, physiology, and body requirements.
