Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a multifaceted problem, with many contributors. The physiotherapy assessment of a pain state has evolved to include not only the neuromusculoskeletal system, but also psychosocial contributions. Nutrition, however, has not been considered as a potential contributor in the same way, despite a significant body of evidence showing that amending one's diet may significantly reduce pain and inflammation. Historically, when the biomedical model was considered the gold standard for patient management, MSK medicine failed to adequately manage a significant cohort of patients, owing to potential psychosocial contributors to pain and disability being largely ignored. Clinicians may be making the same mistake with diet, failing to grasp the relevance of nutrition in MSK pain states. Physiotherapists should consider utilising a ‘nutritionally-informed' approach for their patients, encouraging a reduction in both ultra-processed foods and refined carbohydrates, whilst encouraging a focus on nutrient-dense whole foods, particularly fat.
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Ian Seels, FACP, is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapy 2017), with particular interests in spinal pain, headaches, knee meniscal injuries, upper/lower limb tendinopathies and the relevance of diet in musculoskeletal pain states. He works as an advanced-scope clinician for Queensland Health on the Sunshine Coast, within both the departments of orthopaedics and neurology. He also works privately in a physiotherapy clinic in Coolum. Furthermore, Ian consults for WorkCover Queensland, offering specialist opinion on patient management. He is co-owner of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Excellence, a specialist physiotherapy teaching, consultancy and mentoring business on the Sunshine Coast. Ian has taught extensively around the world, including Australia, England, Brazil, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. He regularly mentors postgraduate sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy students. Despite being a clinician first and foremost, Ian has co-authored 3-published papers in peer-reviewed journals. |
4/3/2026
1.0 hour
