Physiotherapy Can Improve Mental Health, Too
Tight deadlines, long commutes, a demanding job, and poor work-life balance are common causes of day to day stress.
We’ve all felt stressed out at some point in our lives, but how you manage it can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being.
Today, we’re discussing the effects of stress on your brain & body, as well as ways to relieve and manage it.
How Stress Affects Your Body
Every time you’re stressed, your body’s fight or flight reaction is triggered.
So when you have a stressful day, your body reacts by releasing fast-acting hormones called adrenaline and noradrenaline which your body uses to heighten senses and respond to the stressor.
But, if you continue to experience stress (this would be considered chronic stress), your body releases the hormone cortisol.
A lot of stress and continued chronic stress is harmful to your body and can cause:
- Depression
- Fatigue and sleeplessness
- Inflammation
- Headaches and muscle tightness
- Neck, back, and shoulder pain
Concerned about any of these symptoms? Book an assessment with a physiotherapist today.
How Physiotherapy Relieves Stress
Physiotherapy can help manage stress and stress symptoms by correcting muscle imbalance, improving strength and reducing pain.
Physical therapy can help in many ways (like those just listed).
Here are five more ways physiotherapy can help you manage and reduce stress.
Lower Cortisol Levels
Daily diaphragmatic breathing is clinically proven to significantly lower cortisol levels, improve relaxation, and improve concentration.
It is often part of physiotherapy treatment plans. Talk to your physiotherapist about learning this breathing technique to lower your stress. (Source)
Reduce Stress Sensitivity
Exercise prescription is a common element in physiotherapy treatments.
Studies show that regular exercise can lower perceived stress by 50 to 78%, reduce stress sensitivity and stress symptoms. (Source)
Improve Sleep
Relaxation techniques, posture training, and patient education on optimal sleep positioning have been shown to improve both sleep quality and sleep duration.
Talk to your physiotherapist about any sleeping issues you have so they can design a custom treatment plan to address your concerns.
Ease Depression
As mentioned above, exercise prescription is a common element in physiotherapy treatments.
Prescribed exercise is shown to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression in as little as 3-months.
Better yet, exercise also lowers the risk of relapsing to previous levels of depression. (Source)
Improve Quality of Life
Physiotherapy guided exercise is proven to improve physical condition, self-esteem, the perception of self-worth, and quality of life, all of which promotes mental health and well-being. (Source)
Find a Physiotherapist Near You Today
If you are concerned about stress and its effect on your brain and body, book an assessment with a physiotherapist to start seeking relief today.