Patients usually schedule appointments with travel physical therapy professionals because they are dealing with physical discomfort. Whether from the result of an injury or surgery, they need your rehabilitation services to get back to being active. However, there are certain factors on the patient's side that can limit their progression in a physical therapy program, and stress is one of them. Learn how stress can impact the body, and teach your patients to relax.
Body aches
When you're stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. When you use that defense mechanism unnecessarily and for long periods of time, it can take a serious toll on the body. As Healthline explained, when this reaction happens, your body tenses up, which helps protect itself from injury. While this would be useful if you were being attacked, your workload at the office isn't going to start throwing punches. Tense muscles can lead to aches and pain, particularly in the neck, back and shoulders. This can make exercising at physical therapy appointments difficult.
Stomach aches
No one wants to go anywhere when they have stomach problems, let alone a physical therapy appointment where they'll have to perform physical tasks. Stress can trigger digestive issues, as the stomach is closely linked to emotions. It makes sense considering you get butterflies in your stomach when excited, and this organ is often regarded as the second brain.
According to HealthDay, our bodies send energy to other parts of the body more effective for defense when we are stressed. The digestive system didn't make the cut, so activities in the stomach and intestines get put on hold until a person relaxes again.
Sleep problems
Have your patients ever slept late and missed early morning physical therapy appointments? Stress can make them more likely to do this, as anxiety leads to issues with falling and staying asleep. It all goes back to that fight-or-flight mode. When you're stressed, your body is alert, ready to defend itself against danger. It's not really useful when you're trying to fall asleep, but if you're feeling anxious, your body can't help but keep itself awake.
Relaxation is key
As you can see, stress can seriously inhibit a patient's ability to not only participate in physical therapy sessions but to even show up. Offering a few relaxation techniques can make appointments more effective and help reduce pain potentially stopping them from exercising.
You might suggest your patients try progressive muscle relaxation. According to the Mayo Clinic, this technique involves tensing and relaxing each muscle group in the body, one at a time. Many individuals find success in working from the toes and moving toward the neck, holding a tense position for five seconds then relaxing for 30.
Yoga can also be used as a relaxation technique, as the discipline emphasizes deep breathing and meditation. Plus, it can help patients who need to focus on building muscle strength. If your patients don't have time to take classes at the gym, suggest they try out free online videos. DoYogaWithMe and Be More Yogic are too such services. Or, they can try out free smartphone applications like Daily Yoga.
Of course, general exercise – like following at-home physical therapy workouts – can help fight stress, too. That's because physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, the body's feel-good hormone responsible for boosting your mood. Plus, many athletes find running to be a helpful form of meditation or a great way to "get in the zone."
Your physical therapy jobs will involve more than just mapping out and facilitating rehabilitation. Your patients will face mental hurdles in their journey to recovery, and with the right tactics, you can help them overcome those obstacles.
Who would have thought that therapy could help with so many different types of stresses. This is all really helpful! Thanks for sharing.