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【Popular Science News】How can physical therapy help relieve anxiety and muscle pain
2025-08-20

The Connection Between Anxiety and Physical Pain

Early-stage anxiety disorders often accompany symptoms such as fatigue and pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and back, which can easily be mistaken for ordinary tiredness. Research indicates that prolonged stress can lead to muscle tension, heightened nerve sensitivity, and even chronic pain.

Three Solutions Offered by Physical Therapy

  1. Instrument Therapy: Treatments like TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) and ultrasound can relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce nerve pain.
  2. Manual Therapy: For unexplained headaches or muscle stiffness, joint mobilization techniques can restore nerve and blood flow.
  3. Exercise Prescription: Avoiding intense workouts, physical therapists recommend progressive stretching and aerobic exercises to gradually strengthen physical fitness.

Self-Management: The McKenzie Method

Patients with back pain can relieve symptoms through simple steps:

  • Posture Assessment: Check if sitting posture is slouched.
  • Therapeutic Movements: Such as lying on your back and stretching backward to relieve spinal pressure.
  • Daily Prevention: Stand up to stretch every hour and strengthen core muscles.

Conclusion

In summary, physical therapy not only effectively alleviates muscle pain but also helps improve anxiety symptoms. Through appropriate treatment and self-management, patients can enhance their quality of life and reduce the impact of stress on health. Regular collaboration with professionals is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing mental and physical well-being in the long term.

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