Physical therapy meets psychology as Americans confront stress

A visit to your physical therapist can reduce stress and prepare you for whatever life throws at you.

Face it. You’re stressed.

That’s just an anecdotal hunch on my part. But the American Psychological Association reported in November that Americans are reporting more stress and anxiety.

From the APA news release:

“In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%) – especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%).”

“What stands out here is that Americans are reporting more anxious feelings than in past years,” said APA President Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A. “This increase may be due to the unprecedented exposure that we have to everything that happens in the world around us, or to an increased awareness and reporting of anxiety. Either way, if people have these feelings, they are not alone, and they can seek help from us.”

How can I help?

• When you visit my clinic, I allot a full hour for you, one-on-one. Here, you have someone to listen to you about how your body is responding to stress. I can help you find relief. So, not only can you get pain relief, but you also get empowerment from increased self-efficacy. Having a sense of control over physical maladies feels good!

• Much of what I suggest to my patients involves greater movement, activity, and exertion. Call it exercise. And exercise stimulates endorphins, the best non-pharmaceutical pain and anxiety relief you can get.
• There’s a learning process in what we do that shows you how to be aware of potential tension-inducing times and situations. I can also show you exercises that can head off the tension. In general, you become more mindful of how your body responds to positive and negative stimuli.

• I like to discuss relaxation as part of physical therapy and often include mindfulness strategies in our sessions. You may have heard me refer to what I do as prescription yoga. Whatever you want to call it, it often helps with both pain and anxiety.

In summary, a visit to Cedar Hill Physical Therapy can help you learn to use your body to manage your emotional stress. Schedule a Discovery Session to find out more about how I can help.