The Connection Between Mental Health & Physical Therapy

When you think about taking care of yourself, what comes to mind? Many people immediately think about caring for their physical bodies via exercise, sleep, and a healthy diet. But as vital as those habits are, it’s just as important to care for your mental health.

Fortunately, there is a lot of overlap in physical and mental self-care. Many of the actions you take to support good physical health have mental health benefits as well. And taking care of your mental health can make it easier to maintain those healthy physical habits.

While there are many good habits you can adopt on your own, you’ll likely see better results when you work with an expert — namely, a physical therapist

How Physical and Mental Health Are Connected

Scientific research continues to affirm the deep connection between physical and mental health. Physical challenges, including injuries, chronic pain, and mobility limitations, tend to correlate with mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and catastrophizing. Likewise, mental illness can make it more difficult to find the motivation and energy to eat well and exercise. 

However, there’s a positive aspect to this connection as well. Taking steps to improve physical health can support better mental health. And mental health treatments, such as therapy, can contribute to better physical health, too.

Physical Injuries and Mental Health

Physical injuries can have significant mental health consequences. Most injuries result in pain, which is psychologically distressing. Whether it’s short-lived or chronic, pain can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and frustration. Pain can also lead to depression and anxiety.

If your pain and/or injury limits your ability to engage in work, hobbies, or social interactions, you may experience feelings of isolation and low self-esteem. Many people who have chronic pain feel lonely and struggle to find a sense of purpose.

Traumatic events that cause physical injuries often contribute to mental illness as well. For example, suppose you get injured from a fall or a car accident. In that case, you may experience some effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — flashbacks, intrusive memories, and emotional episodes — as well as physical symptoms. 

For many people, the connection between injury, pain, and mental illness is cyclical. Poor mental health can reduce pain tolerance and heighten sensitivity, increasing the perception of pain. Conversely, pain tends to feed into depression, anxiety, and stress, compromising sleep and impacting mental health, which then continues the cycle.

How Physical Therapy Supports Mental Health

Because there’s such a deep connection between pain and mental illness, addressing pain can have significant mental health benefits. A physical therapist can help you identify the true cause of chronic pain, whether it’s related to an injury or not. They can give you a range of tools to manage the pain and address the underlying cause to promote better long-term health.

Participating in physical therapy exercises and techniques can give you a better sense of control over your pain, helping you overcome feelings of hopelessness and frustration. Many physical therapists also incorporate mindfulness techniques to reduce pain, a practice that can be as effective as traditional approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

As physical therapy helps improve your mental health, you may be less susceptible to experiencing intense and/or chronic pain. Because physical therapy can help you reduce stress, improve sleep, and have more control over your body, you may experience fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fear. 

You may also find it easier to stay motivated to stick with physical therapy and other healthy habits. Increasing your level of physical activity can stimulate endorphin release, improving your mood and promoting a higher level of resilience in your brain.

Finally, working with a physical therapist can offer direct mental health benefits as well. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your challenges in a safe space with a person who cares about you. Additionally, feelings of empowerment and encouragement can help you improve and maintain your mental health.

See What Physical Therapy Can Do for You

It’s a common misconception that physical therapy only addresses the physical symptoms of injuries. But PT offers so many other benefits! 

Yes, a physical therapist can help you reduce pain and recover faster following an injury. But they can also help you improve your mental health. As PT helps you reduce physical challenges like pain and mobility limitations, you may experience fewer mental health symptoms as well.

Do you want to experience the mental and physical benefits of physical therapy for yourself? You don’t have to wait until you’re injured! 

Our experienced team of physical therapists can help you identify sources of pain, mobility restrictions, and suboptimal movement patterns and create a treatment plan to help you address them. By taking a deep, holistic approach to physical therapy, our therapists can help you feel better in your body and more confident in its capabilities.  Schedule your physical therapy consultation today.