Pain doesn’t just affect you physically; it also negatively affects your state of mind. For example, the American Psychiatric Association estimates that 35-45% of people with chronic pain struggle with depression.
The skilled team at Total Joint Specialists, formerly known as Georgia Joint Specialists, offer physical therapy as part of our treatment plans for people with chronic pain, as well as for those who have just gone through surgery or suffered a recent injury.
We encourage physical therapy because it can help you learn how to manage pain. It can also restore function so you feel more independent and can get back to activities that bring you joy.
Here’s more about the mental health benefits of physical therapy.
Physical therapy includes exercises, manual stretching, electrical stimulation, and other support for restoration of normal movement and reduction of pain. We may recommend physical therapy for conditions that include joint pain, repetitive strain injuries, arthritis, and tendonitis.
Physical therapy is an important part of surgical recovery and rehabilitation after a joint replacement for the hip, knee, shoulder, or ankle. Patients with orthopedic cancers also benefit from our physical therapy services. We use a highly successful online physical therapy program called Force to help with pre and post-operative recovery.
Physical therapy undoubtedly improves your physical health. You’ll also experience mental health improvements, including:
Pain causes stress, which causes your body to release stress hormones. When pain is constant, these hormones circulate regularly through your body.
You may also feel anxiety as a result of pain and dysfunction related to your pain condition. Just leaving the house and doing normal daily chores take extra effort and can cause frustration.
Physical therapy can help with acute pain caused by a traumatic injury or after surgery. Treatment can also reduce chronic pain as well as teach you how to manage movement limitations.
Physical therapy can help you feel more in control of your body and safely push you to new limits and adaptability. Achieving even small goals in a session builds self-esteem and boosts your confidence.
Many pain conditions interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Chronic fatigue can make you irritable and interfere with your cognitive sharpness.
Physical therapy can help reduce pain so you can sleep better. We can also offer strategies for sleep position and nighttime routines that can help you be more comfortable during the night.
When you have a pain condition or just had surgery, you may feel isolated from your normal connections through work, school, or clubs and teams.
Working with a physical therapist can give you social connections that focus on your health. Your provider helps you set and achieve goals and celebrate with you when you make improvements.
Working with a physical therapist helps you establish a better mind-body healing connection.
Your therapist can offer you mental health support tools, like breathing strategies and meditation, that help you put your pain and healing in perspective.
By establishing a better mind-body connection, your physical therapist improves the way you move and feel.
Experience the benefits of physical therapy for yourself. Reach out to the nearest office of Total Joint Specialists in Midtown Atlanta, Alpharetta, Braselton, Canton, Cumming, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Sandy Springs, and Woodstock, Georgia. Call or schedule online today to make your appointment.
