Navigating Nutrition as a Physical Therapist

Optimizing nutrition is vital for optimizing recovery and rehabilitation, but it can be difficult to understand where our scope of practice as physical therapists begins and ends—which makes it hard to understand whether our patients are getting the literal building blocks for their own recovery! Using active and collaborative learning techniques, you will dive into the latest literature and explore how to incorporate best-practice concepts into your own unique practice. We will discuss how our own relationships with food and diet culture can influence how we talk with our patients; the basics of macronutrients and where and how to get them; appropriate fueling for performance and recovery; and the psychosocial aspects of nutrition including the impacts of food insecurity. Our learning will include development of individualized plans for fueling and hydration, and putting them into practice in the field! We’ll culminate with development of resources for your specific population, geographical area, and clinical needs to bring back to your clinic.

Audrey Elias, PT, PhD, OCS and Jennifer Bell, PT, ScD, COMT will be joined by Cody Moore, RDN (who will also be our chef for the weekend!) in presenting and facilitating discussion.

This course meets the standards for 15 hours of continuing education by most state physical therapy boards, and is pre-approved for Level I credits by the California APTA. Please contact your state board for details on their specific requirements.

Forrest Boughner from Alpine Running Guides will put together a perfect weekend of running and/or hiking, all transportation included. We plan to head out a bit after breakfast both Saturday and Sunday, but will be flexible according to weather.

Trails/distances/pace/number of groups all are dependent on the group, weather, etc. Plan for a 2-3 hour outing each day—and feel free to call if you have questions! You can use these adventures as training or as something to train for, or simply as a chance to refresh your spirit with joyful movement!

Like all Alpine Running Guides trips, our outings are casual and no-drop—no sufferfests or character-builders! We will regroup frequently, stop for views, eat and drink, and generally have a good time. Feel free to pack your favorite nutrition items, but we will have Skratch nutrition products available, and will be planning optimal nutrition in the course!

Home base will be a beautiful home just outside Cle Elum, WA, less than 2 miles from Speelyi Beach on Lake Cle Elum. Private suites, shared queen suites, and shared bunks are available. We’ll relax in the evenings in the hot tub or by the fire pit or large fireplace.

All meals will be prepared by our in-house chef and registered sports dietician, Cody Moore, RD, in the gorgeous chef’s kitchen. Snacks, coffee, tea, and bubbly waters will keep us fueled and hydrated throughout the day. We will ask about and honor any food sensitivities or dietary preferences. Most meals will be served plated rather than family-style to allow for necessary changes. While we will not be providing alcohol, you are welcome to bring a bottle of your own!