When we think of physical therapy, we oftentimes picture a person working with a physical therapist to overcome an injury or recover in the wake of surgery. Considering it has “physical” right in the name, it stands to reason that physical therapy focuses on improving your physical health. However, physical therapy can also be very helpful for your mental and emotional health. Below, we explain how physical therapy can be helpful for your mental and emotional health, and how these improvements can make your physical recovery easier.
Mental And Emotional Benefits Of Physical Therapy
You’ll find that working with a skilled physical therapist like the ones you’ll find at OrthoRehab Specialists can help improve different aspects of your mental and emotional health. Here’s a look at how PT can help your mind.
- Stress Relief – Being physically hampered by an injury or surgery can be stressful. You may be out of work or away from your teammates, and this change in routine can leave your feeling stressed. By working with a physical therapist, you can help to speed up your recovery and know that you’re doing everything you can to help yourself recover. When you’re controlling what you can control during your rehab, things seem less stressful.
- You’re Not Alone – You may feel alone and isolated during your recovery, and that’s not uncommon because you’re the only one going through what you’re going through. Feeling isolated can take a significant toll on your mental health, but when you’re working with a partner who is doing what they can to help you recover, it’s easier to see that you are not alone in this process. Working with a physical therapist can provide some social support at a time when you may feel alone.
- Improved Sleep – When you wake up feeling refreshed, it’s easier to naturally have a happier and energized mood. Conversely, you may find that you are fatigued, cranky or quick-tempered if you’re not getting enough sleep. Our physical therapists can provide some advice to help you get better sleep while you’re working to overcome your physical issues. Not only can this improved sleep help your mental and emotional health, but it can help you find the energy to perform your physical therapy exercises.
- Self-Esteem Improvements – Don’t be surprised if you notice that your self-esteem improves after working with a physical therapist. When you’re seeing progress and hitting your physical recovery goals, there’s little doubt that you’ll also notice improvements in your overall self-esteem. Hitting your goals can push you to achieve even greater milestones, further fueling self-esteem improvements. This does wonders for your mental and emotional health.
- Physical-Mental Connection – Finally, being physically active during PT can lead to the release or production of certain chemicals in your brain. When you’re physically active, your brain produces endorphins which trigger the release of the feel-good chemical dopamine. Dopamine can act as a natural way to combat mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
So the next time you’re due for a physical therapy appointment, know that your participation is not just helping your physical health. PT can provide comprehensive whole health benefits, and we’d be happy to help you achieve these benefits. For more information, or to set up an appointment, give the team at OrthoRehab Specialists a call today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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