Physiotherapy can significantly support mental health by addressing the physical symptoms that contribute to stress, anxiety and depression. Through movement therapy, chronic pain management, and personalised exercise programs, physios help patients rebuild confidence and regain control over their health. Techniques like breathing training, goal setting, and mindfulness based movement offer a holistic and empowering approach to both mental and physical recovery, bridging the gap between mind and body wellness.
In recent years, mental health has played an important role in health conversations. Depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders are on the rise, and people are now seeking holistic approaches to treat them. While talk therapy and medication remain relevant in mental health treatment, an often-overlooked approach is physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is known to be used to deal with physical injuries, but it can also help in improving mental well-being through pain management, and movement.
The connection between mind and body:
There is a strong link to physical and mental wellbeing. When someone is in physical pain or activity is restricted because of an injury, it can negatively affect their mood. Additionally, improving physical function often leads to improved mental states. Physiotherapists are trained to recognise this link and integrate strategies that address both.
For example, studies show that regular physical activity significantly reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety (1). Since physiotherapists specialise in personalised and structured exercise plans, they are uniquely skilled in reducing the fear of exercise in patients that may find it overwhelming.
Managing Chronic Pain and Mental Health:
Chronic pain and mental health often coexist in a vicious cycle. Conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, or lower back pain can cause socialising and sleep to become challenging. Additionally, depression can heighten an individual’s sensitivity towards pain, making pain that they experience even worse.
Physiotherapists use a combination of techniques including manual therapy, graded exercise and other alternative treatment like low level laser therapy (LLLT), cupping and shockwave therapy to manage chronic pain effectively. They will also educate patients on the injury itself to regain control over their bodies, which can reduce the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness often associated with chronic conditions (2).
Movement and Breathing techniques:
Many physiotherapists use breathing exercises to help mindfulness in their treatments, especially for patients experiencing anxiety and fear towards their conditions.
Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, muscle relaxation, and even guided movement therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and have a calming effect (3). These strategies are often used in physiotherapy sessions for patients dealing with trauma, PTSD, or general anxieties.
Goal setting:
One of the most important components of physiotherapy is goal setting. This can include short and long-terms goals whether it’s being able to commute to work comfortably, wake up in the morning without joint stiffness or returning to a sport. Self-esteem and motivation can be helped by achieving goals set by an individual and their practitioner.
The process of setting and reaching goals creates an individual sense of purpose, an element that is important in recovery from mental decline because of physical injury. By also keeping their clients accountable with personlised exercise plans, a physiotherapist can also help to reduce the risk of demotivation during injury recovery.
George Block
BSc Sports Rehabilitation
References:
- Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, Silva ES, et al. Physical activity and incident depression: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Am J Psychiatry. 2018 Jul;175(7):631–648.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17111194
- Kamper SJ, Apeldoorn AT, Chiarotto A, Smeets RJ, Ostelo RW, Guzman J, et al. Multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Sep 2;(9):CD000963.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000963.pub3
- Jerath R, Crawford MW, Barnes VA, Harden K. Self-regulation of breathing as a primary treatment for anxiety. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2015 Jun;40(2):107–15.