Expert Nutritional & Lifestyle Counseling
Over 30 Years’ Experience in Athletic Training, Nutrition & Pain Management
Nutritional counseling is an excellent complimentary treatment to pain management. The overall goal of chiropractic care is to help patients lead healthier lives, and that includes eating a full range of healthy foods to provide all the nutritional supplements your body needs to function completely and painlessly. At AlignRight Injury & Rehab, we provide pain management and nutritional counseling for Dallas, Richardson, and all DFW.
The first step of nutritional counseling is your one on one consultation with Dr. Zinovy Chukhman. He’ll start by asking questions about your typical eating habits. Understanding what you’re currently eating helps Dr. Z determine what nutrients are plentiful and lacking in the diet and assess your energy levels. The doctor can also answer any questions you may have about dietary supplements and provide recommendations for nutritional products that may be beneficial.
When working with Dr. Z, there are a number of barriers to the success of a new nutritional program. Make sure to let the doctor know about potential concerns you have with any of the following barriers:
- Dietary choices or restrictions (vegetarianism, veganism, and kosher)
- Food costs
- Lack of access to a variety of healthy foods
- Inadequate knowledge of food preparation
Nutritional planning is a long-term process that can take years to become effective and show patients results. Dr. Z will work with you to establish ongoing goals that you can work toward over weeks, months, and years.
Nutritional Counseling FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Nutritionist and Dietician?
Put simply, not all nutritionists are certified or registered dieticians, but all dieticians are nutritionists. A dietician has passed the Registered Dietitian’s exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and maintains certain standards for continuing education to keep certification. As a result, registered dieticians tend to have more expertise in customizing nutrition plans as well as working with patients with more complex dietary needs.
What Should I Expect During the Initial Appointment?
The first appointment, sometimes referred to as the consultation, our dietician will want to get to know you, your medical history, the medications you take, current diet choices, your relationship with food, and your goals. This discussion could take anywhere between an hour and 90 minutes, but this background will allow us to take many factors into account when creating nutrition recommendations specifically for you.
Can Nutritional Counseling Help Me with Chronic Illness or Medication Use?
Yes! Nutritional counseling can not only help you lose weight but also naturally address some risk factors and causes of chronic illness. In some instances, improving diet and nutritional intake can reduce the need for certain medications. Although we can’t guarantee this outcome, we are confident that nutritional counseling can enhance your quality of life and overall health. Just as corrective exercises can help you work through pain from an injury, nutritional counseling can give your body a better chance of overcoming dietary struggles and help you enjoy better mental health pertaining to food.
Will My Dietician Make Me Feel Guilt or Shame?
Absolutely not! Everyone’s nutritional journey is different, and we understand that a healthy diet doesn’t mean having enough “discipline.” We all have a relationship with food, and we can help you be more mindful and aware of your habits. With this knowledge and our guidance, you can identify negative emotions and food choices, deal with your mental struggles with healthier coping methods, and gain control of compulsive eating and other hurdles to achieving your goals.
Will My Dietician Consider Cultural Foods in My Diet Recommendations?
We can certainly consider cultural preferences and other needs when recommending meals and foods. While we respect backgrounds and meaningful dietary relationships, we also might suggest branching out to other kinds of foods that you may not be familiar with to expand and enrich your nutritional intake.