Stronger Body, Stronger Mind: Why Physical Therapy Isn’t Just for the Body
Jennifer Kummrow2024-10-09T22:45:30+00:00Being ‘healthy’ is more than just avoiding illness or eating fruits and veggies every day. It’s about maintaining balance in your physical, mental and social well-being. While you may begin physical therapy with the goal of reducing pain or healing an injury, PT can also provide significant benefits for your mental health.
It’s not uncommon with chronic pain or physical limitations to experience mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety or sleep disorders. Being restricted by pain or feeling frustrated because you’re unable to participate in the activities you love, limits your stress outlets and takes a toll on your emotional state. When your therapist creates your treatment plan, they consider both the physical and mental aspects of your health.
We know exercise enhances mood, concentration and alertness. However, when you are restricted or injured and can’t do activities you normally do, much less things you enjoy, it’s easy to question what to do safely. The exercises your therapist designs for you are specifically tailored to your body to strengthen your muscles, increase mobility and reduce your pain. Learning how to move your body in a way that promotes healing and builds confidence in performing activities safely, goes a long way for your emotional well-being! Having a supportive team of people dedicated to enhancing your health increases adherence with a plan of care, gives you resources to turn to with questions and cheers you on in the road to recovery. A byproduct of reducing your pain – you’ll experience lower stress levels and emotional relief, leaving you feeling calm and capable.
While the overall goal of PT is to improve your physical function, we are ultimately working to improve your quality of life! Strengthening your body will strengthen your mind, helping you build confidence, independence, and resilience. Dealing with chronic pain or an injury can be mentally exhausting, but it doesn’t have to control your life.
Move your mind. Mind your movement.