How Physical Therapy Boosts Mental Health

The ultimate goal of physical therapy is to be able to help a person move and perform daily tasks without experiencing pain. When we have limited movement, experience frequent pain, or suffer from severe injury, we might feel defeated or helpless.

Physical therapy involves exercise, rehabilitation, pain management, and other therapeutic measures to relieve pain and improve strength and mobility. Many of these efforts also benefit mental health.

Here are a few examples of possible mental benefits from physical therapy:

1. Gives hope.  During a pain management program, patients may be assisted in a series of exercises to enhance overall physical performance. Regular exercise helps the body produce hormones called “endorphins,” which can block sensations of pain and discomfort.

2. Improves the immune system. Regular exercise improves flexibility and helps increase the strength of the body’s immune system, making us less susceptible to future illness and pain.

3. Focuses on long-term management — not just instant relief. While many of us might use the nearest pharmaceutical to numb an ache, physical therapy provides pain relief and helps us prevent the recurrence of injury.

4. Encourages us to keep going. Fantastic physical therapists can encourage a person to keep working and improving through positive reinforcement. When applied effectively, encouragement can make a real difference in a patient’s life.

These are merely a few of the mental health benefits one can receive from physical therapy. Specialized, professional treatment can help develop the right program for you.

At Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres (PARC) of Ontario, we provide caring assistance and healing. Check out our list of centres and give us a call to schedule an appointment.