Introduction
Mental health and physiotherapy are two distinct fields, but there is a connection between them. Physiotherapy is a healthcare discipline that aims to restore, maintain, and promote optimal physical function, movement, and well-being. It involves the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of physical impairments, disabilities, and pain. On the other hand, mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and behave, and can influence their physical health as well.
There are many ways in which mental health and physiotherapy can be connected. For example:
Physical Activity
Any movement requiring energy expenditure is categorized as physical activity. According to estimates, physical inactivity causes 3.2 million deaths worldwide each year. Research guidelines can be used by physiotherapists to treat depression and other Mental Health conditions. Exercise and physical activity can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medications.
Tension and Pain :
With depression, tension and pain increase linearly. Depression and anxiety can be caused by pain. There is evidence that people with Bipolar Disorder experience significantly more pain (particularly chronic pain and migraines). Bipolar disorder management should address pain management. Treatments include orthopedic manipulative therapy, myofascial release, chronic pain guidelines, and exercise.
Breathing problems:
Anxiety Disorders and Depression can benefit from breathing problems training. A physiotherapist can teach patients how to breathe correctly and manage anxiety.
The body is less flexible after experiencing trauma:
There is a strong association both between trauma experiences and bodily flexibility and between bodily and psychological reactions. Interestingly there are about 10 times more sympathetic fibres in fascia than in muscle. In order to improve the lack of flexibility in the body, physiotherapists use exercise, fascial stretching, posture re-education, and flexibility exercises.
Chronic disease management:
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. Physiotherapy can help manage these conditions through exercise, education, and other interventions, which can improve a person’s mental health and overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Our article defined how The connection between mental health and physiotherapy are connected in many ways. Physiotherapy can help improve mental health by managing pain, rehabilitating injuries, reducing stress, promoting exercise, and managing chronic diseases. A multidisciplinary approach that includes both physiotherapy and mental health care can provide comprehensive care for patients.
If you are feeling pain in any part of your body? Feel free to consult the best physiotherapist and chiropractor in Islamabad & Rawalpindi.