CAN PT BOOST YOURMENTAL HEALTH? The Link Between Mental and Physical Health
Every day, researchers and medical professionals are getting better at understanding the link between physical and mental health. But one thing is clear: Each influences the other. People who experience chronic pain are four times more likely to struggle with mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, than people who are pain-free. Chronic pain sufferers are also more likely to experience limitations with daily physical activities, which can create a negative feedback loop and cause further mental health problems. Knowing that physical and mental health impact one another also reveals that a two-pronged approach to our overall health is necessary. If you suffer from chronic pain, it’s best to seek professional health that addresses both your mental and physical needs. This means assembling a team that includes a mental health practitioner, a primary care doctor, and in many cases, a physical therapist too. A personalized physical therapy regimen can help you manage your pain and other symptoms. At Horizon PT, we see a lot of patients struggling with back pain and arthritis. Both of these chronic ailments can be addressed through PT. We can also help if you’re trying to recover strength and muscle mass
after cancer treatments and if you’re experiencing chronic fatigue, weakness, or migraines. Don’t make the mistake of thinking physical therapy is just for athletes or those recovering from a one-time injury. PT is great for both of those things, but its usefulness is much broader than that! In addition to PT and any other medical treatment your doctor recommends, it can be very beneficial to incorporate mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques to reduce pain and help your find neutrality or even optimism in your mindset. Exercise releases endorphins and provides many other mental and physical benefits. If your pain is keeping you from moving, rest assured that we can help get you back on track with PT. Other healthy activities include journaling, meditating, and connecting with others. Sharing your experiences either with a loved one or a professional like a therapist can provide tremendous
relief and support.
If your physical pain is weighing on you mentally, please call us today. You don’t need to suffer alone, and there are ways that PT can help reduce your pain and set you on a path to happier days.
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Thai Minced Pork Salad
Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com
Called “Larb” in Thailand, this popular street food comes together quickly and can be easily modified to suit your individual taste.
Ingredients
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5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice
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4 small shallots, thinly sliced 4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 lb ground pork 1/2 tbsp chili flakes
Cilantro leaves, to taste Mint leaves, to taste
1/8 tsp sugar
1/2 tbsp fish sauce
Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste
Directions
1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high
heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.
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