There has been an increased awareness around mental health of late, and that’s a solid step in the right direction, but I’m concerned that we talk about the concept rather than the individual exposure and resultant weight quietly being borne by ourselves, our friends and family members.
It’s a complex problem because we’re faced with uncertainty in financial matters, work environments, electricity and water supply, air quality (or pandemics) – let alone any family matters or predisposing factors like depression, anxiety, ADHA, etc, while we need to be strong, resilient, supportive to others, good at our jobs, and steer clear of being labelled as dramatic lazy or crazy!
It wasn’t the norm in past decades for physiotherapists to converse on mental health or excessive life-pressures with our patients – either because we were oblivious or because we left that to the psychologists – but we are faced with the reality that the nervous system exists and functions to keep you alive and protect you from various threats – be that physical, chemical, infectious or emotional and psychological overloads – These are all typically compounded by each-other, and by poor sleep and nutrition, a lack of exercise and remaining unacknowledged and untreated. It’s a condition that in our current environment is rarely not impacting someone – whether it is acknowledged or not, mentioned to someone or not, and addressed or not.
It may improve with time and changing conditions in our lives, or it may continue or progress as other elements impacting us do the same… But there are often physical signs and symptoms which give an indication of the strain you’re taking. Persistent or progressive bodily (headaches/spinal/muscular/joint) pain or dysfunction very commonly accompanies an overloaded nervous system, and will further compound the complex picture a person is faced with – it can be a viscious circle but it need not continue unchecked.
Physiotherapists are increasingly being trained to identify and assist in these conditions, and physiotherapy often the 1st step to an internal acknowledgement and finding a way through. While each person’s journey in this could go in directions to attain a resolution, starting out with a better understanding of the various loads your nervous system is carrying, how to start shedding it, and receiving realistic, effective management strategies which fit in with your life may be the easiest way for you to start the journey in combating the persistent pain, fatigue, frustration and feelings of helplessness.
Your health and physical wellbeing should be a priority deserving of quality care. Make sure to discuss any concerns you may have directly with your preferred physiotherapist, so that you can receive the appropriate guidance for your unique situation.