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Physical Therapy for Both Mind and Body

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Aside from pain, physical therapy is also good for the mind. This article explains why physical therapy and various beneficial therapies are essential for the mind.

Medically reviewed by

Mohammed Wajid

Published At October 3, 2022
Reviewed AtFebruary 28, 2023

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is used to inspect, evaluate, and treat people who are in pain and have limitations in their ability to move freely. Injuries, osteoporosis, back pain, neck pain, wounds, and other medical issues can make a huge impact on a person's body, lowering their quality of life. Physiotherapy can assist people not only heal from discomfort but also obtain more movement and usage of their damaged areas.

How Does Physiotherapy Improve Mental Health?

Physical therapy is an excellent way to improve mental health following a medical event. Physical therapy can aid with mental health as well as many of the body's mechanical needs during recuperation.

Physical treatment has the following mental health advantages-

Improves Mood:

Pain and stress can have a severe impact on your mental health. Physical activity has been found in studies to raise levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which affects mood. This boost can lift a person's spirits and help them avoid further emotional distress.

Builds Self-Esteem:

It can be devastating to one's self-esteem when one's typical talents are disrupted by a medical occurrence. It is difficult to accept that you would not be able to complete simple tasks without assistance. Simple physical workouts can give you a sense of success while also assisting you in accepting new restrictions. Self-esteem is built by focusing on what can be done rather than what cannot be done.

Reduces Depression:

Going through surgery or experiencing an unexpected medical incident can lead to sadness, which can impede the healing process. Endorphins are substances released by physical exertion that cause a happy feeling in the body. Endorphins also work with pain receptors in the brain to reduce pain perception. This combination of a good sensation and pain relief can aid in the reduction of depression.

Improves Sleep:

The importance of sleep in mental wellness cannot be overstated. The mind can rest and regenerate when a person sleeps. The brain processes new information, emotions, and memories while sleeping. Stress and anxiety levels can rise if you do not get enough sleep since your brain does not have enough time to rest. Exercise can assist the body in falling asleep faster and achieving a deeper and higher-quality level of sleep, resulting in a more positive mental attitude on life.

Provides Social Support:

Working with a physical therapist can help you feel less alone as a result of your medical challenges. It is reassuring to be surrounded by people who care about your health. A therapist can offer support and advice as well as information on the recovery process. Setting a physical therapy goal and then achieving it can help you restore control, which can help you feel less anxious. A physical therapist can also help with confidence by addressing balance and strength deficits.

Improve Mobility and Function:

No matter what part of your body is hurting, whether it is your knee, shoulder, back, or neck, our physical therapists have a proven track record of helping people improve their quality of life. Our highly skilled personnel can assist you in regaining movement without pain or discomfort. When you realize what you have accomplished, you will feel revitalized and energized.

Improved Quality of Life:

Anyone can be terrified by illness or harm. When an illness or accident keeps you from doing what you enjoy or leaves you in excruciating agony, your mind might be suffering as well. You do not have to suffer in silence if you are feeling hopeless or depressed. Physical therapy can help you get rid of your discomfort and regain your mobility and independence. You will be able to accomplish more, which will make it simpler for your mind to let go of unpleasant thoughts and focus on more positive ones.

Reduce the Risk of Injury:

Fall injuries are a major cause of loss of mobility in the elderly. Physical treatment has been shown to enhance balance and lower the risk of falls in the elderly, making them less likely to sustain injuries as a result of falls. Physical therapy can also help people who have had sports-related injuries. Physical therapists have a thorough understanding of the human body and may assist patients in developing a personalized exercise and rehabilitation program to lessen the risk of future sports injuries.

Avoid Surgery:

Physical therapists can help you avoid surgery, which can be costly, unpleasant, and invasive in some situations. Physical therapy can be as successful as surgery in treating moderate to severe pain and stiffness when paired with complete medical care.

How Does Stress Impact Pain?

In physical therapy, negative feelings are typical in response to pain and damage. The presence of stress hormones in the body for an extended period of time has been shown to hinder rehabilitation and recovery. Understanding and understanding the connection between pain and stress is a crucial first step. It has been demonstrated that simply understanding that physical pain can be amplified by our thoughts and emotions can assist to reduce pain.

Even though stressful experiences are an unavoidable part of life, we may use a variety of mind-body approaches to change our thoughts, manage stress, and regulate our emotions. This is a good way to control discomfort and improve your quality of life. Mindfulness and cognitive reframing are two ways to get used to them.

Mindfulness:

The act of being mindful of the current moment without judgment or attachment is known as mindfulness. Being on autopilot is contrary to awareness. Mindfulness is beneficial since it can help to alleviate pain, tension, and stress. Mindfulness can help us become more aware of the current moment rather than obsessing about the past or future, which can help us minimize stress.

Re-Frame Your Thinking:

Changing the way you deal with stress. Stress hormones are released into the bloodstream when you perceive something as a threat, which is linked to increased physical discomfort and pain.

What Are the Mind-Body Therapies?

When it comes to improving your physical and mental health, mind-body therapies might be beneficial. Just make sure the teacher or practitioner is certified in the therapy you are interested in, and check-in with your regular therapist to see if these complementary therapies are beneficial to you. Whether you are coping with mental health concerns, physical illness, or both, science shows that combining mind and body practices can be quite beneficial. In physiotherapy, the best mind-body healing methods are:

  • Yoga.

  • Hypnotherapy.

  • Tai Chi.

  • Guided meditation.

  • Biofeedback.

  • Acupuncture.

  • Dance or movement therapy.

  • Spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment.

  • Massage Therapy.

  • Pilates.

However, in many circumstances, a structured course of physical therapy is still required to alleviate pain, reduce disability, and enhance the overall quality of life. Exercise and hands-on manual treatment are likely to come to mind for the majority of you. Physical therapy, on the other hand, is more than a science. It is a form of expression. A physical therapist is likely to be competent at active listening as well as a good coach, leader, and motivator who can assist you in getting healthier. Your physical therapist should grasp the mind-body link and that your physical rehabilitation is based on your sentiments of being understood and validated. The goal of a good therapist should be to get to know you, the patient. Effective communication creates the feeling that healing is within reach, which leads to greater effort, adherence, motivation, and therefore greater gains from physical therapy.

Conclusion:

Both physical and emotional health might be harmed throughout the recovery period following surgery or other disorders. Fears can lead to increased limits and worries about one's future health, making it difficult to maintain optimal health. Physiotherapy, as an integral element of a healthcare plan, is meant to heal the person completely and can be utilized to overcome this fear and other physical and mental problems. Consider including a physiotherapist on your medical team and seeking advice from them, as these professionals will treat you holistically, both physically and mentally.

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Mohammed Wajid
Mohammed Wajid

Physiotherapy

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mental healthphysical therapy
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