Gratitude for Movement: How Thankfulness Impacts Healing and Recovery
November is a time to pause and give thanks—and one of the greatest things we can be grateful for is the ability to move. Whether it’s walking with family after Thanksgiving dinner, playing with your kids, or simply taking a deep, pain-free breath, movement fuels independence, health, and happiness.
At Orthopedic & Spine Therapy, we see every day how gratitude and movement go hand in hand. Research shows that practicing thankfulness can lower stress, improve sleep, and even reduce the perception of pain. In physical therapy, patients who focus on progress—rather than frustration—often recover faster and feel more in control of their journey.
Gratitude helps shift our mindset from what hurts to what’s healing. It encourages consistency, mindfulness, and confidence in your body’s ability to adapt and grow stronger. When you appreciate what your body can do, you’re more likely to keep moving, which in turn promotes better mobility, strength, and overall wellness.
This November, take a moment each day to celebrate your movement. Write down three things your body allows you to do—big or small—and recognize the effort it takes to get stronger. Even small improvements deserve acknowledgment.
Through our Encompass Wellness and Performance program, we help patients and clients not only recover from pain but also build long-term health through movement, education, and lifestyle change. Gratitude is part of that process—it keeps you grounded, motivated, and focused on what truly matters: your health and the freedom to move.
This Thanksgiving season, let’s remember—gratitude isn’t just good for the mind, it’s medicine for the body.
By: Matt Melotte, Physical Therapist, PT, DPT, CMTPT
Matt Melotte works at Orthopedic & Spine Therapy’s De Pere location and as resided at Orthopedic & Spine Therapy for over 10-years with a strong passion for patient-centered care. He earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Carroll University in 2013 and is an assistant instructor for dry needling through Myopain Seminars. With a deep interest in the human body’s remarkable ability to heal when given the right environment and conditions, Matt has found a perfect fit at OST, where the emphasis on continuing education and patient-first care aligns with his professional values.
Matt specializes in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, with a large focus on chronic pain, sports/recreational injuries, and spinal disorders. Matt enjoys spending time with his friends and family, especially his wife and two children. He is an avid outdoorsman including spending time at the family cabin, kayaking, biking, and playing soccer as well as continuing to improve his own health and fitness. Click here to learn more about Matt.