Physiotherapy And Mental Health

It is well illustrated in this quotation: 'no health without mental health Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stress of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental Health is the fourth most significant cause of disability. Physiotherapy and Mental Health are always dependent on one another.

Physiotherapy in mental health deals with body movement, function, physical activity and exercises. Mental health can affect daily life, relationships, the ability to enjoy life and physical health. Mental health problems or disorder often begin with the thoughts and beliefs related to physical or mental problems. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems can be due to personal and lifestyle pressure such as work stress, excessive use of alcohol and substance use, relationship breakdown, job loss, etc.

Physiotherapy is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists, those who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention, and health promotion. Physiotherapy in mental health is a specialty within physiotherapy. They create a therapeutic relationship to provide assessment and services specifically related to the complexity of mental health within a supportive environment, applying a model including biological and psychosocial aspects. It aims to optimize wellbeing and empower the individual by promoting functional movement, movement awareness, physical activity and exercises, bringing together physical and mental aspects.

This kind of dual support is effective for conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, asthma, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), obesity, epilepsy, cancer and other diseases are frequently accompanied with a 'rollercoaster' of emotions, feelings of anxiety and pain. After all, individuals with mental disorders have numerous physical health complaints (cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, obesity, osteoporosis, etc.) due to medication, sedentary behaviour or inactivity and consult primary health services.

Depending upon individual patient problems and results of the observation/evaluation, the patient's treatment goals will be established, and the physiotherapist can choose a more health-related approach or psychotherapeutic physiotherapy. Different modalities such as cognitive techniques (cognitive restructuring, problem solving and cognitive functional training), behavioural (relaxation, pacing and graded exercise therapy and behavioural activation), supportive, educational and other techniques such as (bio) feedback, movement and body awareness are integrated into this treatment.

Let's take the case of Amira (name changed). She came to the wellness center with jaw pain and stiffness of neck. She was referred by her physician to the physiotherapist for cervical pain. Upon interacting with her and conducting the preliminary screening, it was understood that she is a survivor of domestic violence for the past 7 years, thus most often she is a state of hyper vigilance and even during sleep too her facial muscles and neck are not relaxed. Amira now is undergoing physiotherapy as well as mindfulness practices and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for her pain.

A few benefits of physiotherapy include:

• Improved sleep

• Decreased stress

• Increased endurance

• More stamina and energy

• Improved mood

• Weight reduction

By reducing pain, increasing one's level of physical activity and providing hope, physiotherapy can increase mental and emotional health. Physiotherapy in mental health aims to optimize wellbeing and empower the individual by promoting functional movement, movement awareness, physical activity and exercises, bringing together its physical and mental aspects.

By

Dr Vedika Goswami

Consultant Physiotherapist

MIND India

Ask Dr Sangeeta Goswami

Question: I have a lot of work stress and have to sit in my desk for a long period of time. Most of the time I feel a gradual numbing feeling radiating from my neck to my arms. What can I do to help myself?

With the working hours increasing especially post COVID 19 and the workload becoming more on online mode, people have been suffering from lifestyle disease, physical pain and mental fatigue. Numbness, radiating pain and sore/stiff muscles are quite common in long term office workers or people with desk jobs or working in an awkward posture where neck is flexed for longer periods of time. The symptoms mentioned can be due to the neck, shoulders and arms remaining static or in one position for longer period of time. Due to sitting for longer hours they can be compression of the spine hence the radiating pain and numbness

To help reduce the symptoms or minimise the symptoms, try the following techniques

1. Take a break every 20-30 minutes of working on the desk

2. Stretching of neck and shoulder muscles will help relieve the numbness

3. Incorporating movements while working like looking up looking down looking towards the side can help reduce a numbness and also to help keep the neck muscles active so that there is no soreness of the muscles

4. Do not work continuously for 2 to 3 hours every 20 to 30 minutes a break is necessary one can get up and take a short walk around there place so that you can keep your body active even while working

5. If you feel fatigue, get up from the chair and stretched entire back by bending their back backwards and forwards rotating their hips

6. While working on your laptop make sure that the workstation your laptop is that eye level so the you don't have to bend your neck to an awkward position

7. The chair should be comfortable and your feet should touch the ground normally where is not dangling or your knees are not uncomfortably bended this will help to relieve the muscles of the added tension.

Apart from these techniques, adequate hydration is important to not feel fatigued or to help the body be hydrated. You may also practice mindfulness to be more in the present and reduce stress.

Also Read: Perinatal Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Precautionary Measures

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