Importance Of Physiotherapy For Mental Healing After Physical Injury

In the aftermath of a physical injury, there are 2 parts to recovery – physical and mental

While people remain more concerned about the physical aspects of recovery, the mental aspect is ignored to a large extent. However, it is essential to remember that while a person is recovering physically, they may be suffering from post-traumatic stress or the fear of re-injury. In addition, other effects like anxiety, insomnia, and depression may also set in if the injury is grievous.

Physiotherapy, a medical treatment that combines rehabilitation, injury prevention, sustainable healing, and holistic fitness, doesn't just help them recover physically from an injury but also helps them emotionally and mentally. Together with an array of pain-relieving mechanisms, education, and advice for the patients, physiotherapy can provide the best means of recovery and help self-manage the process with ease.

How Physiotherapy Supports Mental Healing Post Injury

Whether it is a spinal fracture or a broken ankle, injuries can drastically change a patient's life. Reactions to the changes can vary from patient to patient. For some, it may mean they will no longer be able to do the activities that bring them happiness and joy, leading to sadness and frustration. For others, it may mean they can no longer continue their job and support their family. Emotional responses which can result from such situations include:

· Disengagement

· Irritation

· Anger

· Anxiety

· Depression

· Guilt

Physiotherapy can be extremely helpful in dealing with such situations as necessitates exercise. It is an exercise-based therapy that helps people to become active over time and resume their daily routine. This can positively impact the psyche as people witness the gradual improvement in their physical health that ultimately reduces anxiety and depression.

Specific benefits of physiotherapy on emotional and mental health include:

· Improved mood

· Decreased anxiety and depression

· Self-satisfaction

· Less stress

Normally, in case of serious injuries or surgery, people are confined to their beds for an extended period of time. Moreover, due to lack of mobility, everyday tasks can seem a lot and physiotherapy help regain strength, enhance coordination and gain mobility/flexibility.

Also, in certain circumstances, physiotherapy can help avoid surgery as it heals the injured tissues and acts as a catalyst for smooth balance and movement over time. Furthermore, physiotherapy can also act as an alternative to drugs and medicines. Using prescription drugs over a period of time can create not only unwanted physiological side effects but also affect mental health.

The most important aspect of physiotherapy is that it provides hope to patients by gradually making them feel better. As patients start to observe the positive changes, it creates hope inside them to recover from the injury and lead their life in a normal way.

Final Words

Physiotherapists not only work on regaining the strength and balance of the body but even counsel patients on how the therapy would work on the body and teach them how they should continue the exercises to get active and gain mobility over time. All these can help restore the physical, mental and emotional balance that paves the way to recovery.