Morningside Heights Physical Therapist Explains the Connection Between Physical Therapy and Mental Health
Park North Physical Therapy, offering specialized Physical Therapy in Morningside Heights, New York, shares that this discipline does more than treat physical issues like an elbow injury or lower back pain. There are close ties between physical therapy and mental health. Can patients improve their mental and emotional well-being through physical activities?
Healthcare professionals emphasize that this is correct. Below are a few ways physical therapy improves mental health.
How Physical Therapy in Morningside Heights, NY, Can Improve Mental Health Issues
Physical therapy’s role in mental health showcases the complex relationship between body and mind. For instance, people sometimes experience stress, worry, and depression following an injury or chronic pain episode, including those who typically enjoyed quite good mental health before the event.
Mental health issues manifest physically as muscle tightness, insomnia, and headaches, too. That’s why physical therapy can directly improve well-being by reducing pain and simply improving a person’s flexibility, strength, and coordination.
Positive changes in mental health happen in several ways with physical therapy, including the following:
Stress Reduction
For Morningside Heights’ community and everywhere else, physical activities reduce stress and encourage relaxation. The mind settles. The person becomes calmer.
How? Put energy into physical therapy, and mental health struggles drop into the background.
Better Self-Esteem
Physical therapy helps patients feel better about themselves. They reach many personal goals during treatment.
Feeling good physically and seeing tangible accomplishments boosts self-esteem, confidence, and self-image, as well.
Improved Sleep Habits
It’s widely agreed that a lack of quality sleep negatively impacts a person's physical and mental state. In some cases, it triggers anxiety, depression, and stress.
With physical therapy, Morningside Heights patients can have less pain and muscle tension, which could help their ability to rest soundly. Physical therapists also give personalized suggestions for better sleep habits.
Fewer Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise lessens anxiety and depression symptoms. It encourages the brain to release feel-good chemicals (endorphins) and distracts a person from their problems to disrupt negative thought cycles.
The Morningside Heights team also sees how physical therapy exercises improve mood and counter feelings of isolation.
About Park North Physical Therapy in Morningside Heights, NY
Park North Physical Therapy serves Morningside Heights, New York. Though these healthcare professionals don't offer medication prescriptions, they do specialize in hands-on care and orthopedics. The positive environment facilitates individualized, goal-oriented care for musculoskeletal conditions.
What’s the connection between physical therapy and mental health? Learn more at (212) 222-6525 from Park North Physical Therapy.
