Beyond Physical Pain: Why Mental Well-being Matters in Physical Therapy Recovery

When most people walk into physical therapy, they’re focused on one thing — their physical pain. A stiff shoulder, a sore knee, that nagging injury that keeps coming back. But what we often see (and what many professionals are now openly discussing) is that true, lasting recovery doesn’t stop with the body.

We recently sat down with Derek Mulhern, a leadership coach who works with executives and professionals on mental and emotional performance. His insights around the connection between mental health and physical healing gave us plenty to reflect on — and confirmed what we see every day in our clinic.

🎥 Want to watch the full conversation? You can check it out on our YouTube channel. 👤 Curious about Derek’s coaching work? Learn more here.

The Three Pillars of Successful Recovery

“People are only kicking two of the four tires in the car,” Derek explained as we chatted about well-being. In physical therapy, we see this all the time — patients who are doing their exercises, following the plan, showing up consistently… but still not getting the results they’re hoping for. True healing encompasses:

1. Physical Well-being

   • Movement routines

   • Correct form and mechanics

   • Strength, flexibility, and mobility work

2. Mental Well-being

   • Managing stress

   • Quality of sleep

   • Cultivating a focused recovery mindset

3. Emotional Well-being

   • Navigating anxiety and fear

   • Developing resilience

   • Building awareness of emotional triggers

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection in Physical Therapy

As physical therapists, we’ve worked with plenty of patients who have perfect exercise habits — but they still experience recurring pain. Derek’s insight summed it up well: “High achievers often hyper-focus on one area and overlook the bigger picture.”

Here are some patterns we often notice:

• Tight muscles linked to chronic stress

• Recovery slowed down by poor sleep

• Movement compensation caused by anxiety

• Physical pain that flares during high-pressure work periods

Breaking the Recurring Injury Cycle

Here’s a real-life example we see all the time: A patient experiences shoulder pain during a busy work season. They stick to their PT routine, do their stretches and strength work — but every time work stress ramps up, the pain returns.

The problem? It’s not just a physical one. When stress management and emotional awareness are missing, pain becomes cyclical.

Signs your pain might have a mental or emotional component:

• Symptoms seem to spike during stressful periods

• Pain fades while on vacation or during downtime

• Tension headaches or jaw tightness along with muscle pain

• Trouble relaxing during stretching or mobility work

Creating Sustainable Recovery Habits

According to Derek, the key to long-term recovery starts with understanding your “why.” In PT, this means going beyond the exercises to connect the dots between your lifestyle, your goals, and your healing journey.

Set Clear Intentions

• What movements matter most to you?

• How do daily habits (like sitting posture or sleep) affect recovery?

• What’s a realistic timeline for your progress?

Build a Support System

• Check in regularly with your physical therapist

• Get support from family, friends, or coworkers

• Look into adjusting your workspace ergonomics to reduce strain

Celebrate Small Wins

“We don’t often see ourselves winning,” Derek shared — and it’s so true. Whether it’s finally sleeping without pain or walking up stairs with ease, these milestones matter. Celebrating them boosts motivation and keeps recovery moving forward.

The Power of Reflection in Recovery

Derek encourages reflection as a tool for growth — and in physical therapy, it’s just as powerful. Keeping track of what you’re feeling and how your body responds can give valuable insight into your healing journey.

Consider:

• Keeping a short journal about pain levels or movement ability

• Noting stress levels alongside physical symptoms

• Observing what times of day or situations increase discomfort

• Identifying patterns (work deadlines, sleep disruptions, etc.)

Avoiding the Quick-Fix Trap

“Finding a solution is the worst thing,” Derek said — a statement that might sound strange at first. But what he meant was that chasing quick fixes can actually prevent long-term progress.

In PT, we see this when patients want a magic stretch or miracle technique. But the truth is, healing takes:

• Consistency, not intensity

• Lifestyle shifts, not short bursts of effort

• Patience with the body’s natural pace

• Understanding root causes, not just addressing symptoms

What You Can Do Next

If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of recurring pain or frustrated with your progress, maybe it’s time to take a more holistic approach.

Here are a few places to start:

• Book a full physical therapy evaluation that looks at both body and lifestyle

• Talk to your PT about stress and emotional factors

• Build in moments of reflection, even just a few minutes a day

• Create your own recovery support circle — you don’t have to do it alone

• Commit to long-term habits over short-term fixes

The Path Forward

As Derek put it, “Any investment in yourself and in your own development… is going to pay off dividends.” That mindset is at the heart of what we believe here too. Physical therapy isn’t just about rehabbing a joint or improving mobility — it’s about helping people heal fully, sustainably, and with purpose.

Ready to address your physical pain with a holistic approach? Contact our team to schedule a comprehensive evaluation. Let's work together to create lasting changes that support both your physical and mental well-being.