Over the years, our society has become more open and interested in the topic of mental health. With increased emphasis on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with mental dysfunctions, organizations across the globe are engaged in studies to find the most effective techniques.
While mind therapies like psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are identified as treatment plans, the role of physiotherapy is not always valued when it comes to treating mental illnesses. However, physiotherapy is a globally recognized conventional method that employs physical activities to improve the quality of life. This is why it is important to evaluate the importance of this treatment method in improving mental health and cognitive behaviours.
Physiotherapy in mental health
A healthy person will have a healthy mind and body that is in perfect sync with each other. This is why physical illness affects our mind and vice versa, whether we realize it or not. With that understanding, it is easier to see how physiotherapy can be a useful tool in treating mental illnesses.
Physiotherapy primarily addresses movement, function, and physical activity of your body. At the same time, the therapy can also help establish a better connection between the mind and the body. Let us see how.
Partaking in regular physical activities has several health benefits. Exercise helps improve cardiovascular fitness, improve sleep, increase endurance, relieve stress, reduce the impact of metabolic syndromes, reduces anxiety, and improves the overall mood and energy of a person. In short, exercises improve the quality of life.
Even when it comes to a person suffering from mental dysfunction, the first telltale sign of things going south is deteriorating physical health. For instance, a person who is under a lot of stress and anxiety will be showing physical strains like loss of weight, sleeplessness, and fatigue. So, it is necessary to assume that in treating mental dysfunctions, the body’s physical health is also important.
Physiotherapy can be considered as a multidisciplinary approach to helping cure mental dysfunctions. Physiotherapists aid mental health professionals by optimizing the overall wellbeing of a patient by promoting physical activity and functional movements. Depending upon the complexity of mental dysfunction, patients are recommended to undergo physical therapy and thereby improve their movement awareness.
Physiotherapy can be applied as a preventive strategy for treating mental illness. There are definite correlations between poor mental and physical health. People suffering from chronic pain and diseases are often diagnosed with mental issues as a consequence of their physical health. So, by concentrating on pain management through physiotherapy, patients have a chance to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
On the other hand, studies also show that physical activities help reduce cardiovascular diseases in people with pre-existing psychological problems. Physiotherapists also help mental health professionals with the treatment of depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia by providing an important bridge between physical and mental health in patients. Therefore promoting and encouraging a healthy body is vital for the effectiveness of mind therapies.
Need for a complete well being
Physical and mental health are not independent of each other. Engaging in physical activities like aerobic exercises like walking and swimming daily has long since proven to be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. So it is no surprise that physiotherapy interventions are effective in improving mental health just as much as physical health. That is why complete wellbeing can only be achieved by giving equal importance to both mind and body.
