Register today for the Combined District Webinar: Nutrition and Physical Therapy: Food for Thought!

Location: Virtually via Zoom 

Speaker: Jillian D. Caster, PT, DPT

Course Description:

As physical therapists, we are educated on the holistic treatment of our patients. We examine the whole individual and address issues at the source to help our patients regain optimal health and function. One component of this equation that is often overlooked is nutrition. The food we eat affects every system in our bodies and is the source of many chronic diseases; however, the amount of time allocated to nutrition in most professional health care degree programs is minimal. Without basic knowledge or education on this topic, this portion of the physical therapy evaluation is frequently omitted. Our bodies need proper nutrition to maintain optimal function in a healthy state, and it becomes even more essential when we are trying to heal. In this course, we will explore the foundations of nutrition and discover why it is a crucial component in the rehabilitation of our patients. We will also learn some practical applications that can be incorporated into practice immediately.

Course Objectives:

Identify the PT's role in nutrition counseling.
Discuss the basic principles of healthy nutritional guidelines. Understand the role of nutrition in gut health.
Understand how diet influences inflammation.
Discuss the benefits and detriments of the standard American diet and fad diets.
Evaluate the nutritional status of the physical therapy client.
Provide food-based/functional nutrition recommendations to the physical therapy client.

More About the Speaker:

Jillian D. Caster, PT, DPT, is a Certified Wound Specialist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist, and a Nutrition Therapy Consultant, Nutrition Therapy Association. Jillian is a full-time Assistant Teaching Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Gannon University. She has developed expertise in nutrition through advanced training and working with patients in multiple settings. She offers practical education and suggestions to her patients and students. Publications: Gibbs K, Wendland D. Co-editors: Caster J, Billek-Sawhney B. Integumentary Considerations for the Older Adult: Age-Related Changes, Common Problems, and Impact of Prevention. American Physical Therapy Association: Academy of Geriatrics. July 2020

Approved for 2 General Contact Hours.

Register today!