How Long Does Physical Therapy Take?
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Written by: Advanced Physical Medicine
If you have recently suffered an injury, or you are recovering from surgery, then you may be considering physical therapy in order to help expedite your recovery and improve your functionality. Physical therapy is an effective treatment option for anyone who is experiencing chronic pain, but you may be wondering, how long does physical therapy take?
At Advanced Physical Medicine of St. Charles, we take a personalized approach to physical therapy, ensuring that you receive the customized care that you need in order to enjoy a limitless life as soon as possible.
How Long Does a Physical Therapy Session Take?
There is no defined timeline for physical therapy, as each individual's physical journey will vary based on a variety of factors, such as:
- The location of your injury.
- The severity of the injury.
- Your current health.
- Your medical history.
The goal of physical therapy is to identify the root cause of the pain and to complete targeted exercises designed to promote total healing. As a result, physical therapy is more about consistency and perseverance than quick results.
First Session vs. Typical Session
From the moment you begin your physical therapy treatment until you finish your final session, you will see slow and transformational change along the way.
On the day of your first session, you will spend more time with your physical therapist talking about your health history and your current pain points. This session will primarily consist of a physical therapy evaluation.
Typical sessions after the evaluation, however, will look much different. Your physical therapist will develop a customized plan designed to help you make the most out of physical therapy, and you will participate in exercises that will reduce your pain while simultaneously allowing you to improve your mobility.
Length Depends on Area of Pain
The frequency of your visits as well as the length of your total physical therapy timeline will vary based on the area where you are experiencing pain. There are some areas that are more difficult to target, and that may require more frequent sessions or a longer timeline.
How Long Do You Need Physical Therapy to Feel Better?
The amount of time that you need to attend physical therapy sessions in order to reduce your pain and feel better enjoying your normal activities will vary based on your personal circumstances. Your physical therapist can provide you with more information about the frequency and duration of your physical therapy sessions in order to accomplish your personal health goals.
Average Healing Times for Different Pain Areas
The healing times for different pain areas vary significantly, and the timeline may be impacted by the natural healing process for that pain area and the extent of the injury.
These are some basic guidelines for different pain areas:
- Muscle Injuries or Pain — 2 to 4 weeks
- Tendon Issues — 4 to 6 weeks
- Bone Injuries or Surgical Recovery — 6 to 8 weeks
- Ligament Pain or Injury — 10 to 12 weeks
- Cartilage Repair — 12 weeks or more
Everyone is Different
While these timelines provide a general overview of the amount of time that you may need physical therapy, it's important to keep in mind that everyone is different. Your personal medical history combined with your current health will play a significant role in the length of your healing journey.
How to Assess Your Progress
After each session, you will begin to notice small but significant progress. Slowly but surely, you will begin to notice that your pain is dwindling away, and your mobility is improving over time. In addition, at each session, your physical therapy will evaluate and assess your progress, often by testing your strength, flexibility, range of motion, mobility, balance, posture and muscle function.
How to Safely Speed Up Your Physical Therapy Progress
When you are willing to put in the hard work and effort, you and your physical therapist can work together to expedite your progress. You can safely speed up your physical therapy progress when you:
Set Goals
Clear, realistic and measurable goals can give you something to work towards and can help you stay motivated as you continue to work with your physical therapist at each session. Oftentimes, short-term and long-term goals help patients feel positive and encouraged throughout their physical therapy journey.
Do Your Homework
Depending on the extent or location of your pain, your physical therapist may recommend exercises that you can do at home. Be sure to do your homework and regularly exercise in order to keep moving forward with your progress.
Use Ice Packs or Heating Pads
Depending on your injury or pain level, you may be able to use ice packs or heating pads to improve your results. Heating pads can help prepare your muscles for your session, while ice packs may help reduce pain so it makes it easier for you to complete your exercises.
Take Rest Days
It may sound counterintuitive, but rest days provide your body with the time it needs to naturally heal. Rest days are a crucial component of your physical therapy plan.
Regularly Attend Sessions
Physical therapy is a commitment, and you must be willing to consistently attend your appointments in order to achieve the best possible results in the shortest amount of time. By regularly attending sessions, your physical therapist can push you to move forward and can adapt the treatment plan accordingly, ensuring that you get the customized experience you need and superior results you deserve.
Ready to Tackle Your Pain? Request an Appointment Today!
At Advanced Physical Medicine of St. Charles, we offer physical therapy treatment services that are designed to reduce pain and improve mobility, ultimately giving you the personalized results that you crave. In addition, we offer acupuncture and massage therapy treatment services that are the perfect complement to your physical therapy treatment plan.
In order to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy and to find out if it's the right treatment option for you, request an appointment today.
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