There’s no denying that the way you move has everything to do with how you feel, and therapists work with their patients to figure out how pain or injury is affecting their ability to move.
But physical therapy isn’t just about fixing broken bones or torn muscles—it can also help you address other issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In this article, Joy Rodak will discuss how physical therapy can affect your mental health.
Physical Therapists Can Help Work Through Mental Health Issues
Physical therapists are experts in the body, but they’re also trained to understand how the mind and body work together. They can help with everything from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For example, if you’re suffering from PTSD after a car accident or military combat experience, a physical therapist may teach breathing exercises or recommend exercises that will help improve your overall health – and therefore make it easier for you to cope with the symptoms of PTSD.
The Effects Of Physical Therapy On Mental Health Is Immediate
Physical therapy can help you reduce stress, feel more relaxed and sleep better. It can also help you reduce anxiety, depression, and pain. Physical therapists are experts when it comes to the body’s physical functions and how they work together to create health or dysfunction.
These medical experts use their knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology to diagnose problems that may be causing your mental health issues. Physical therapists treat these problems by manipulating joints or muscles so they will move properly again with exercise programs aimed at improving mobility and strength while decreasing pain levels in the process.
Physical Therapy Can Even Help Treat Mental Health Disorders
In some cases, Joy Rodak states that physical therapy can help treat a mental health disorder. For example, physical therapy can help treat depression. In one study, patients who received physical therapy were more likely than those who didn’t to see improvements in their symptoms after six months and one year.
Aside from that, a review published in 2016 found that there’s some evidence linking exercise with reduced anxiety levels. Another study found that participants who engaged in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over six months experienced a significant reduction in both state and trait anxiety scores.
Lastly, physical therapy can help treat PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) symptoms by teaching you how to manage your body’s response when faced with difficult situations or memories. This PT method has been found effective even among veterans with severe PTSD cases.
Physical Therapy May Help You Take More Control Over Your Health
Physical therapists can help you make the best changes to your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, and sleep habits. They may also be able to refer you to other professionals who can advise on mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
Physical Therapy Can Help You Express Emotions Healthily
You might not know it yet, but physical therapists also have extensive training in mental healthcare. Many physical therapists have a master’s degree or higher in psychology or counseling. As such, they know how to help their clients express emotions healthily and constructively – which is something many people struggle with nowadays.
