How Long Does Physical Therapy Sessions & Programs Take?
Physical therapy is an effective way to treat and manage various medical conditions, including arthritis, joint disorders, neurological problems, and injuries.
The most common question during the first meeting with the therapist is how long the physical therapy sessions take?
There is no one-fits-all answer as the treatment duration and sessions depending on the particular condition, treatment plan, and progress.
Each patient will have a thorough diagnosis and evaluation, and the physical therapist will create a program to suit their needs.
Who needs physical therapy?
Physical therapy is a suitable way to treat a variety of medical conditions.
So who needs physical therapy? Among the different illnesses and conditions are:
Musculoskeletal dysfunction such as back pain
Neurological conditions such as stroke
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries
Arthritis, osteoarthritis
Cardiopulmonary conditions
Carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger
Physical therapy is often the go-to treatment for different sports-related or other injuries, women's health issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction.
Children can benefit from physical therapy with such conditions as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
According to Medicalnewstoday.com, depending on the reason for treatment, physical therapy benefits include improved mobility and movement, pain management, recovery from injury or trauma, and improved balance. To read more about dealing with pain during physical therapy and whether the treatments are painful, click here.
How long does the physical therapy program typically last?
One of the first questions the patients will ask their doctor or therapist is how long the physical therapy program will last.
Though it's a straightforward question, there is no one-fits-all answer.
Many factors influence the duration of the individual treatment programs, including the condition treated, the healing rate, and the therapy goals.
Physical therapy after hip replacement, knee replacement surgery, and rotator cuff surgery might depend on the surgeries' outcomes.
Physical therapists usually track pain management, function, strength, and gains in range of motion. Depending on the progress, the sessions will continue or end.
How long does physical therapy sessions typically last?
VeryWellHealht.com says that how long a physical therapy session lasts depends on the clinic you are going to and the specific specialty therapist you are seeing.
Some sessions may take over an hour just to properly assess and evaluate that patient.
If the condition has been diagnosed by a physician and is relatively straightforward, the assessment part might take around 30 minutes.
The treatment part of the sessions usually takes around 30-60 minutes.
In addition to that, each patient will have an evaluation and follow-up sessions scheduled. For further information, check out the top 10 benefits of physical therapy.
How frequently will I need to attend?
So how frequently will I need to attend? That's the question most patients ask.
The frequency of physical therapy sessions depends on the diagnosis and the treatment plan.
During the first consult with the physiotherapist, each case is discussed individually. The patient has all their options explained and presented to them.
At the consultation and in cooperation with a physician, the therapist will determine the frequency of sessions. Most of the time, the physiotherapists create plans for the quickest recovery.
As a rule of thumb, you'll probably have sessions at least 2-3 times a week. These frequent visits are crucial to get a head start, especially after serious injuries or surgery.
Later on, the therapist evaluates the progress, the patient's condition and usually adjusts the treatment program accordingly. At this point, the visit frequency is lower.
Overall the whole treatment usually takes a few months or more.
To ensure the treatment's effectiveness and possibly reduce the visits' frequency, it's best to keep up with all the additional exercise and programs (like stretches or ice therapy) at home.
How to know when physical therapy should stop?
Even though the therapist determines the physical therapy program and goals, it's important to know when to stop therapy.
There are few indications of when to do so:
The condition is getting worse.
The pain has gone.
The progress has plateaued.
The goals of the therapy have been achieved.
It's critical to keep the communication with the therapist open and discuss when to discontinue the program.
Usually, the end of the visits doesn't mean ending continuous exercise and efforts at home.
Lastly, if the therapy sessions need to stop due to lack of insurance coverage, the best advice is to discuss a possible payment plan with the clinic.
How do I stay healthy after physical therapy?
Even though physical therapy is the main line of treatment for various conditions, it takes additional effort and time from the patient at home.
It's important to take a few simple steps and home after each therapy session and maximize its effect.
How to stay healthy after physical therapy?
Ice the area
It's normal to feel soreness after the sessions, and inflammation is a part of the healing process. To reduce the pain, ice the area for 15-20 minutes and repeat whenever needed.
Exercise
Keep doing exercises at home after the sessions. They will provide pain relief and help reduce the treatment length.
Eat properly
Nutrition is essential for health and wellness, so make sure you don't forget to eat healthy food, reduce sugar, unhealthy fats and focus on nutrient-dense, fresh, locally produced food if possible.
Sleep and recover
Don't forget to balance the effort with rest. Getting enough sleep and rest will speed up the recovery and will reduce stress.
Hydrate
Drinking water after physiotherapy sessions will help the body process the toxins in your bloodstream.
Key Takeaways
Physical therapy program and session frequency will depend on each patient's condition, treatment plan, progress, and goals.
Keeping constant communication with the physician and physiotherapist will ensure the best possible outcomes.
In any case, the therapy usually takes at least a few months.
Final Conclusion
How long the physical therapy program and sessions will last depends on multiple factors such as the specific condition, the treatment plan and goals, and each patient's progress.
Usually, the program takes at least a few months and 2-3 weekly sessions and later reduces the frequency to a weekly visit.
It's important to stick with the plan and track the progress. The physiotherapist then reviews and adjusts the program accordingly to ensure the best possible outcomes in the least amount of time.
Book your appointment with Miracle Rehab Clinic and get in touch with a physical therapist that will take into consideration all your needs.
