What is Exercise Therapy?
What is Exercise Therapy? Ask any physician or psychiatrist what they would recommend as a starting point for many, if not most issues, and you likely hear “exercise”. Most people think about seeing a therapist to improve their mental health and a personal trainer for their physical health. Though may have never given much thought to how the two disciplines work together.
Exercise Therapy + Mental Health
Consider this abstract from The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry:
“Health benefits from regular exercise that should be emphasized and reinforced by every mental health professional to their patients include the following:
- Improved sleep
- Increased interest in sex
- Better endurance
- Stress relief
- Improvement in mood
- Increased energy and stamina
- Reduced tiredness that can increase mental alertness
- Weight reduction
- Reduced cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness
Or how about this from the British Journal of Sports Medicine:
Physical activity is highly beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress across a wide range of adult populations, including the general population, people with diagnosed mental health disorders and people with chronic disease. Physical activity should be a mainstay approach in the management of depression, anxiety and psychological distress.
AND
Research trials suggest that physical activity may have similar effects to psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for patients with depression, anxiety or psychological distress.”
What to Expect
So how does it work? The mechanisms through which these improvements are accomplished include physiological, psychological, neurological, and social adaptations. The synergistic benefits of training body and mind together are significant. Not only is it more clinically effective, it is also efficient because you can meet both needs with one convenient appointment, not to mention it is cost effective.
Here are some real examples of what a session might look like:
- Your therapist may take you for a hike by the river or flow through yoga postures in the studio while you discuss a more effective coping strategy for work stress.
- While sitting on a stability ball and training your core, you could be simultaneously learning how to have more empathy with your kids.
- After a set of push ups, you might explore how you felt at a recent office function where you were passed over for a promotion.
- Between sets of dumbbell curls you might be encouraged to find alternatives to drinking for dealing with social anxiety.
Investment
Give us a call today at 224-803-2295, or send us an email at info@torus-center.com for self-pay and insurance options.
Practitioner
Your therapist, David Bauer, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Health Coach and Certified Personal Trainer. With over 25 years in helping professions, David brings his wisdom, experience and heart to every session and meets you where you are mentally, spiritually and physically. David tailors every session to your needs and abilities. You will leave with practical tools to help you build the life you deserve. You can also expect emails with tips and tools to help you carry on what you learned in your session.