“Hey, how are you doing?” is probably the most commonly used phrase to start a conversation between yourself and another person. But are we really prepared for what the other person might say? Usually, the answer is “fine” or “okay.” What happens if someone shares their anxiety or pain with you? How would you respond if they said, “I really need to share what’s going on in my life.”
At First Choice Physical Therapy, we pride ourselves on our ability to examine, diagnose, and treat your orthopedic pain/dysfunction as well as get you back to a normal, pain-free life. But what happens when your physical pain turns to emotional or even psychological pain? Unfortunately, physical pain can turn into emotional pain from feeling discouraged and anxious about your recovery, as well as psychological pain, thinking that you may never return to your normal life or that you will have pain the rest of your life. The worst thing you can do is stay silent about your worries and concerns. Sometimes just saying it out loud is therapeutic enough to know that you’re not alone and other people feel the same way you do.
As I am writing this article, I am home with my wife and our new baby boy, who is nine days old. What an absolute gift from God and a life-changing blessing! I have felt anxiousness, worry, excitement, and sometimes fear of the unknown throughout this whole process. Fortunately, I have family and friends surrounding me who are there to listen, give advice, and most importantly, pray that God gives me strength and peace during this transition. However, I would have never benefited from their support if I had never spoken up about my emotions. The point is, if something is going on physically or emotionally, the best thing you can do is address the problem and find a support group. My love and trust in Jesus Christ are where I turn. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Psalm 55:22 reads, “Cast your cares on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Yes, at First Choice, we specialize in the physical aspect of the patient, and we never really have articles on this particular topic. Still, we also want you to know that we treat the entire patient as a patient at First Choice Physical Therapy. We are here to listen, counsel, and pray with you to get you better.
To Your Health,
Dr. Brannon Chester, DPT