Lifestyle & Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Lecturer: Jaap Wonders
SUMMARY
In this masterclass, Jaap Wonders, a physiotherapist, discusses the integration of lifestyle factors into musculoskeletal physiotherapy. He emphasizes the importance of reframing the health system to include lifestyle as a core component of treatment plans rather than solely offering cures through medication or surgery. Wonders highlights the significant role of lifestyle in managing musculoskeletal health, particularly for chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and tendinopathy. He stresses the multifaceted influences on pain conditions, including genetics, psychological, social, and biophysical factors, and underscores the need for a comprehensive plan that incorporates education, lifestyle interventions like sleep and nutrition, and physical activity to promote recovery and empower patients.
Wonders also addresses the negative impact of Western lifestyle habits, such as sedentary behavior, poor diet, and stress, on health, leading to issues like obesity and chronic inflammation. He advocates for healthcare professionals to act as coaches to encourage positive lifestyle changes, which can reduce treatment needs and improve patients’ wellbeing. He explains the interconnectedness of lifestyle behaviors and their influence on conditions like musculoskeletal pain, highlighting the importance of sleep, nutrition, and stress management in recovery. By fostering healthier lifestyle behaviors and educating patients, Wonders believes that individuals can enter a positive cycle of health and happiness, ultimately enhancing their physical and mental resilience.
LECTURER
Jaap is a sports physiotherapist, manual therapist and location manager at a practice in Leiden, Netherlands. He is also a lifestyle therapist and teaches several lifestyle related courses.