What is the role of the physical therapist in stress assessment?

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Recognizing stress levels and using effective listening are central to the physical therapist’s role in stress assessment. Stress and psychosocial factors can influence pain perception, motivation, and adherence to prescribed exercises, so a PT observes, asks thoughtful questions, and attentively listens to understand how stress might be affecting recovery. This information helps tailor treatment, pacing, and communication, and it signals when a referral to a mental health professional is appropriate. Prescribing antidepressants or diagnosing mental illness fall outside a PT’s scope, and focusing only on physical injuries misses factors that can impede progress. Instead, a holistic, patient-centered approach uses stress awareness to enhance outcomes and collaboration with other clinicians.