Staying Active Is the Key to Finding Mental and Physical Balance
Effects of Injury on Mental Health
By Carina Mahserejian PT, DPT
Injuries of all types will greatly impact anyone’s life. From acute sprains to chronic pain syndromes, such as fibromyalgia, to post-surgical conditions, people’s lives will be impacted, as many patients will face restrictions from participating in their usual routine, ranging from simple day-to-day tasks to sport specific activities. Their once active lifestyle will be put on pause, whether it’s due to pain, post-surgical precautions and sometimes fear. Being unable to be the independent individual they were prior to injury could greatly impact one’s mental health. Many individuals find themselves feeling anxious, frustrated or even depressed due to their current situation. This could have a negative effect on their overall rehabilitation, possibly impacting motivation to reach their goals, or even causing a delay in tissue repair due to the elevated levels of cortisol the body makes under stress.
A key component during one’s rehabilitation journey should be to address one’s mental health in addition to addressing their physical ailments. In order to achieve better outcomes, it is important to create a positive and supportive environment for rehab. This will including having support from one’s rehabilitation team including their physical therapist and doctors. In doing so, patient will feel more motivated, encouraged and optimistic about their recovery, resulting in adherence to their treatment plan. It is crucial to create a plan that is specific to each patient to help set them up for success by creating realistic goals and providing patients with exercises they could perform with confidence and safety. Additionally, some strategies to support mental health include grounding techniques and breathing exercises to help regulate one’s anxiety, as well as encouraging patients to seek further care from a licensed therapist if needed.
By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of healing, individuals are more likely to recover in a more efficient manner, while also maintaining better health long term as they return to their prior level of function.
Staying Active Is the Key to Finding Mental and Physical Balance
Maintaining a balance between our mental and physical health has become increasingly challenging in today’s fast-paced world. The sedentary lifestyle that dominates much of modern society contributes to a host of physical ailments, ranging from back and neck pain to chronic conditions that affect our health and mental well-being.
The relationship between the mind and body underscores the importance of staying active as an effective strategy for finding mental and physical balance. Physical therapy, often associated solely with injury recovery, plays a crucial role in helping people get and stay active.
Happy Birthday, Evelyn & River!
Please join us in wishing Evelyn and River a very happy birthday this month!
The Link Between Physical Activity and Mental Health
Regular physical activity can have a profound impact on mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, known as the body’s natural mood elevators, which can help symptoms of depression and anxiety. Moreover, the discipline and routine associated with regular exercise can provide a sense of purpose and achievement, further enhancing mental well-being.
However, initiating and sustaining an active lifestyle can feel overwhelming, especially for those dealing with chronic pain or mobility issues. This is where physical therapy comes into play, bridging the gap between the desire for activity and the capability to pursue it.
Physical Therapy: More Than Just Rehabilitation
While physical therapy is traditionally viewed through the lens of rehabilitation, its scope extends far beyond recovery from injury. Our PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy physical therapists are experts in movement and will design personalized exercise programs that cater to your unique needs and limitations. Our programs not only aim to improve physical health but also serve as a boost for mental health benefits.
- Personalized Exercise Programs: A key component of physical therapy is the development of personalized exercise programs. These are tailored to the individual’s specific conditions and goals, whether improving mobility, reducing pain, or enhancing overall physical function and mental well-being.
- Pain Management: Chronic pain is a common issue that significantly impacts an individual’s mental health, leading to feelings of frustration, depression, and anxiety. Physical therapy offers various techniques for pain management, such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and education on body mechanics. By addressing the root cause of pain, physical therapy not only improves physical function but also contributes to mental relief and a more positive outlook on life.
- Stress Relief and Relaxation: Physical therapy sessions often incorporate stress relief and relaxation elements, such as deep breathing exercises and targeted stretching. These techniques help the recovery process and have a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and promoting mental clarity.
- Boosting Self-Efficacy and Autonomy: One of the most significant mental benefits of physical therapy at PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy is the focus on teaching our patients self-care. Learning how to manage one’s health effectively can empower you and give you control over your physical and mental well-being. This approach is crucial for your mental health, as it fosters resilience, self-reliance, and a proactive approach to tackling life’s challenges.
- A Holistic Approach to Well-being: Our physical therapists believe in a holistic approach to health, recognizing the intricate connection between the physical and mental aspects of well-being. By promoting physical activity and addressing individual health challenges, our approach can significantly improve mental health, contributing to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Patient Success
“Best place for rehabbing any physical ailment. My therapist was Carina M. and she helped my neck, shoulder and back improve immensely! She was professional, knowledgeable, and put you at ease on the road to recovery. I highly recommend using PerformaX as a way to come back from an injury or any physical ailment. They have an attentive staff and the exercises they tell me to use are very functional and I use their personal app to stay on top of my therapy. Again, I highly recommend their services and Carina was my favorite and best physical therapist I have ever had. My shoulder, neck and back are way better than when I started my initial consultation.” -J.P.
Recipe of the Month: Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh cranberries, or use frozen
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the cranberries, maple syrup, water, orange zest, and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring often so that the maple syrup doesn’t burn.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the cranberries burst and their juices thicken, 15 to 20 minutes, keeping in mind that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Taste and add more sweetener or orange zest, if desired.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Use Your Insurance Benefits Before They Expire!
As the end of the year approaches, now is the perfect time to maximize your insurance benefits before your deductible resets. If you’ve met your deductible, take advantage of lower out-of-pocket costs and schedule your physical therapy sessions with PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy today. Don’t let your benefits go to waste—your health and recovery are worth it!
Upcoming Events in Burbank, CA
- Burbank Winter Wine Walk: November 22 | Kick off the holiday season with this festive downtown celebration. The Holiday Street Fair runs 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM on San Fernando Boulevard.
- Holiday in the Park: November 22 | A warm, family-friendly festival to usher in the holiday spirit. From 5:00 PM-9:00 PM, Magnolia Boulevard (between North Hollywood Way and Naomi Street) transforms into a festive wonderland.
- Burbank Bluegrass Jam at George Izay Park: November 2 & 23 | Join a long-running, community bluegrass jam session Sundays at noon (runs typically until ~3:00 PM).
The Path Forward at PerformaX Elite Physical Therapy
Starting your journey toward mental and physical balance through physical therapy begins with recognizing the value of staying active. For those struggling with physical limitations, chronic pain, or simply the inertia of a sedentary lifestyle, physical therapy offers a guided, supportive path to reclaiming an active and balanced life. The benefits extend beyond physical health, touching every aspect of well-being and paving the way for a happier, more balanced existence.
Staying active, with the support of physical therapy, offers a powerful means to achieving harmony between the mind and body. It’s a journey worth taking, one step at a time. Call today to schedule a consultation and get started on your road to mental and physical balance!
Refer A Friend & Get A $25 Gift Card!
Do you know someone who could benefit from physical therapy? Tell them about PerformaX and if they become a patient, we’ll send you a $25 Visa Gift Card! It pays to refer friends and family to PerformaX!
