According to a study, 1 in 5 people in Canada is experiencing a mental disorder at some point in their life. This could be depression, anxiety, addiction, or many others. Although this is a tragically high amount of people, there are many ways to help care for and treat your mental health.
Which is what we are going to discuss today, physiotherapy in mental health and what its role is! Physiotherapy has an important role in helping to improve a patient’s mental health, so let’s take a look and see exactly what that looks like.
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Physiotherapy in Mental Health
What physiotherapy in mental health looks like will vary depending on the physiotherapist, the patient, and the type of mental disorder being treated. That said, there are some general things that physiotherapy can do to help patients with their mental health, which we will get to here shortly.
According to studies, physiotherapy plays a critical role in helping to improve and treat mental health disorders. Although physiotherapy is typically used for treating pains and injuries, there is a direct connection between pain and mental health.
The Connection Between Pain and Mental Health
It’s no secret that pain can greatly affect not just our movements and ability to participate in physical activity, but also our mental health. In fact, a study showed that 85% of those participating with chronic pain were affected by severe depression. When we experience pain, our body releases stress hormones like cortisol.
These hormones are designed to help us deal with the pain, but they also have the side effect of causing anxiety and depression. This is why it’s so important to treat pain, not just for the pain itself but also for the sake of our mental health.
As you can see, there is a direct connection between pain and mental health. But what about the connection between physiotherapy in mental health? How can therapy help with mental health? Well, there are a few ways.
How Can Physiotherapy Help Mental Health
There are quite a few ways that physiotherapy can help mental health. Physiotherapy may aid with a variety of issues, including depression, chronic stress, and mood disorders. On top of treating pain and injuries, physiotherapists can advise exercises and prevention techniques that help to address our mental health.
For example, physiotherapy can help mental health by:
Reducing Stress Levels
This is done through a variety of methods such as massage, relaxation techniques, and exercise. Chronic stress leads to major increases in the risk of developing depression. If you don’t learn to cope and reduce those stress levels, you’re much more likely to become depressed and hurt your mental health.
Improving sleep
Poor sleep is a common symptom of many mental disorders. Physiotherapy can help by teaching patients how to better manage their sleep. Without proper rest not only will our physical bodies hurt, but also our mental health.
Increasing energy levels & self-esteem
Mental disorders can often lead to fatigue and low energy levels. Exercise is a great way to help increase energy levels. Furthermore, as physiotherapy helps to improve our physical appearance, it also leads to boosts in self-esteem.
Creates a sense of achievement
When physiotherapy leads to improvements in physical appearance and pain management, it also gives patients a sense of achievement. This can be incredibly beneficial for those suffering from mental disorders, as it provides a much-needed boost to self-confidence and achievement.
Reduces the need for pills and pharmaceuticals
Although pills/painkillers can help reduce pain, oftentimes they can lead to other disorders, illnesses, addiction, and more. Through physiotherapy, you can help to achieve more pain relief and recover from your injuries. Meaning you won’t have to depend on taking painkillers.
Improvement in mood
Physiotherapy can also lead to an improvement in mood. After all, when we’re in pain, it’s tough to be in a good mood. Through reduced pain, exercise, better sleep, and more, physiotherapy helps to improve your overall mood. Which can combat depression.
As you can see, physiotherapy can play a big role in mental health! So, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, physiotherapy may be a great option for treatment.
The Effects of Exercise and Physiotherapy have in Mental Health
Exercise is a key component of physiotherapy and has been shown to be incredibly beneficial for mental health. Although there are many activities such as video games that help with mental health, exercise through physiotherapy is one of the leading ways.
Exercise releases endorphins, which are hormones that have mood-boosting effects. Furthermore, exercise can help to improve sleep, reduce stress levels, and increase self-esteem. All of these things are very important for mental health. Much similar to everything that we just discussed.
On top of that though, exercise and physiotherapy can lead to:
- Improved blood flow
- Increases arousal
- Increases serotonin levels
- Increases brain development
- Improves memory
- Increases endorphins
Caring for the Body and Mind
It’s important to care for both the body and mind. When we only focus on one, it can lead to problems. If you want to improve your mental health, physiotherapy is a great option.
Fear of mishaps or being limited can be a real thing at first, but overcoming those with a trained professional will ensure a positive outlook and eventually success. Which is why more and more clinics are offering physiotherapy for mental health.
The connection between our mental states, body, and depression, is very real. The first step to overcoming this and improving is understanding the process and how it can help.
Is Physiotherapy & Rehab Good for Mental Health
Physiotherapy and rehab is good for mental health and recovery. As we just discussed, physiotherapy has many benefits that are key to improving mental health. From improving sleep to reducing stress levels to increasing self-esteem, and more, physiotherapy can play a big role in improving mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, physiotherapy and rehab may be a great option. With the help of a trained professional, you can begin to improve your mental health and overall well-being.
Mental Health and Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an important part of mental health and can be incredibly beneficial for those struggling with mental disorders. At Chinook Rehab Centre, we offer physiotherapy as a key component of our treatment plans.
Our experienced physiotherapists are ready to help you or your loved one recover from injuries and improve your physical and mental well-being. We provide friendly and customized care for our patients here in Calgary, Alberta.
