Kidneys Health Impacts Your Rehabilitation

“During the last few years battling kidney failure, I grew a new respect for how important kidneys were. Beyond their life-saving functions, I FELT first hand how kidneys VERY tangibly impacted how I felt, performed and healed. I am so very thankful to have received a kidney transplant from a dear friend on October 5th, 2022”

~ Quote from Noal Cattone - co-owner of Anderson & Cattone Physical Therapy

To optimize rehabilitation of your musculoskeletal ailments, whether its knee pain or chronic back pain, don’t forget about the role your kidneys play in the healing process (among other organs).

Physical therapy works well when tissues are healthy, your nervous system isn’t compromised and your body is metabolically stable. If hydration, nutrition and your global health is compromised, success treating superficial ailments and/or increasing athletic performance will be difficult if not impossible, even with good physical therapy interventions.


6 Things Healthy Kidneys Do:

  • Regulate the body’s fluid levels (hydration)

  • Filter wastes and toxins from the blood

  • Release a hormone that regulates blood pressure

  • Activate vitamin D to maintain healthy bones

  • Release the hormone that directs production of red blood cells (preventing anemia)

  • Keep blood minerals and electrolytes in balance (sodium, phosphorus, potassium)

8 Problems Kidney Disease Can Cause:

  • Heart disease

  • Heart attack and stroke

  • High blood pressure

  • Put your life at risk

  • Weak bones

  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)

  • Kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease, or ESRD)

  • Anemia or low red blood cell count



8 Possible Trouble Signs:

Most people with early kidney disease have no symptoms, which is why early detection is critical. By the time symptoms appear, kidney disease may be advanced, and symptoms can be misleading. Pay attention to these:

  • Fatigue, weakness

  • Difficult, painful urination

  • Foamy urine

  • Pink, dark urine (blood in urine)

  • Increased thirst

  • Increased need to urinate (especially at night)

  • Puffy eyes

  • Swollen face, hands, abdomen, ankles, feet

9 Things Everyone Should Do To Prevent Kidney Problems

  • Exercise regularly

  • Control weight

  • Follow a balanced diet

  • Quit smoking

  • Drink only in moderation

  • Stay hydrated

  • Monitor cholesterol levels

  • Get an annual physical

  • Know your family medical history