Most of us are familiar with the rise of anxiety (and other mental health conditions) among today’s young people. While the cause of this trend is currently debated by experts, the result is the same: anxiety can be a crippling diagnosis for youth in America.
What if there were a largely untapped source of intervention for these young people? What if there was a type of therapy that could be used in conjunction with more typical mental health treatments such as counseling and medication? What if that untapped intervention was covered by insurance and very solidly backed by research, but was still quite new the United States?
The good news is that this intervention is available right now and most likely just a phone call away! It’s called physical therapy!
Groundbreaking technology, research and interventions are currently being used by physical and occupational therapists at Doctors of Physical Therapy. We call our program MindBody. Some of our therapists go through a specialized ongoing training to help manage mental health diagnoses such as anxiety and depression. Even better: it is covered by insurance just like “normal” physical therapy! These therapists work in conjunction with mental health providers (such as psychologists, licensed counselors and psychiatrists) to improve the function of people struggling with mental heath issues by providing interventions to directly address underlying anxiety or depression.
MindBody Success: A New Path Forward for Anxiety through Physical Therapy
Sienna was a 12 year old girl who had struggled with worsening anxiety over the past few years. She missed the majority of school days in 2023-2024. Over the summer, her parents heard about the MindBody program for anxiety. She was already seeing a counselor and she began to see a MindBody trained physical therapist. She saw this PT for 18 visits over the summer of 2024 and utilized interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Informed Physical Therapy (CBTiPT), relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing and development of a specialized exercise program specifically designed to reduce anxiety. Her PT also used a newer, progressive intervention called Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (TaVNS).
Learn More About MindBody Therapy at DPT
Throughout the summer, her PT collaborated closely with Sienna’s mental health team to create a plan to support her return to school. When the first day arrived, everything was in place, but anxiety still won out that morning. Sienna refused to go.
With her counselor unavailable, her physical therapist stepped in. Between appointments with orthopedic patients, the PT found time to meet with Sienna and her parents. They revisited the calming strategies she had practiced all summer and applied a TaVNS session. After about 30 minutes, Sienna found her courage, she chose to return to school. Her parents got her there just in time for lunch.
And then the incredible happened.
By winter break, Sienna hadn’t missed a single day of school.
Discover the MindBody Difference at Doctors of Physical Therapy
Sienna’s story is just one example of how the MindBody program combines innovative physical therapy techniques with thoughtful collaboration alongside mental health providers.
If you or your child are navigating anxiety, we’re here to help. At Doctors of Physical Therapy, many of our clinicians are trained in progressive, evidence-based methods to support emotional well-being through movement, breathwork, and nervous system regulation, all while working hand-in-hand with your existing care team.
Take the next step toward better mental and physical health. Call your nearby clinic to find our if they offer this service and schedule a MindBody evaluation today!
