But on average, patients can expect to be in physical therapy for six to eight weeks as strength and mobility progress with every session. If your back pain continues to be severe or even worse, physical therapy may take longer or may be recommended after surgical intervention.
For lower back pain, the most common physical therapy timeline is four weeks, after which patients can reassess their pain levels and decide if they want to pursue other options.
When you're suffering from back or neck pain, it may be tempting to stay on the couch all day. But that's a prescription for more pain. Although getting up and moving might be the last thing you feel like doing, physical therapy and exercise can be the best way to reduce pain.
Most doctors advise a patient of back pain for a four-week session as a conservative approach to pursuing aggressive treatment options such as surgery. The motive behind physiotherapy is to reduce inflammation, pain and increased function of the back.
Muscle can take up to two to four weeks. Tendon can take up to four to six weeks. Bone can take up to six to eight weeks. Ligaments can take up to ten to twelve weeks.
On average, physical therapy sessions last between 30 and 60 minutes with a frequency of two to three times a week. Of course, your sessions may be longer or more or less frequent depending on your condition and what was deemed the best course of treatment.
A typical order for physical therapy will ask for 2-3 visits per week for 4-6 weeks. Sometimes the order will specify something different. What generally happens is for the first 2-3 weeks, we recommend 3x per week. This is because it will be the most intensive portion of your treatment.
Of course, each treatment program is tailor to each person's need, so your results will be unique. But generally, after each appointment, you should notice improvements in movement and a reduction in pain. If you do not feel you're progressing, tell your therapist about your concerns.
Generally, if there is an increase in your presenting symptoms after a session, it's something that you should discuss with your physio. Other pains or soreness that occur after treatment are usually very normal and natural and is actually a sign that the treatment is helping.
Walking. Walking is good for low back pain because it's a low-impact exercise that offers the benefits of regular physical activity without aggravating the muscles and tendons of the lower back. It uses and stretches muscles in your back, is easy on your joints and can reduce bone and muscle loss.
Studies have shown walking to be effective in preventing, alleviating and even treating pain in the spine, a condition that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will affect eight of 10 U.S. citizens in their lifetimes.
Your therapist will teach proper body posture techniques for sitting, standing, and lifting that reduce the likelihood of back strain or injury. You will also learn specific exercises to do at home. Regularly performing these recommended home exercises can help your back muscles strengthen more quickly.
Minor injuries you might expect 2-3 sessions of physiotherapy; soft tissue injuries you would be looking more towards 6 – 8 weeks, as this is roughly how long it takes for soft tissue to heal in most cases; and more chronic or serious conditions taking 2 or more months of treatment depending on the level of progress ...
After you complete your therapy sessions, your physical therapist will give you additional instructions for using what you've learned in your regular life. This may include stretches and exercises to do every day, or rules for easing back in to regular activity.
It is true that you may experience discomfort as you engage with a tailored treatment program designed to heal and strengthen your body. However, over time, a PT regimen that works should result in less pain, and greater functionality. You can attend your therapy sessions with confidence.
It's possible that you may feel worse after physical therapy, but you should not have pain. Should you be sore after physical therapy? Yes. When you are mobilizing, stretching, and strengthening the affected area you are going to be required to do exercises and movements that can cause soreness after your session.
If there's no change to the area of pain or discomfort within two weeks of physical therapy, this might need to be a referral back to a physician. This assumes that the patient has fully participated in their treatment, and the PT is also doing their role.
A typical physical therapy timeline is 6 to 8 weeks for the healing of soft tissues, so your PT course may last that long. During your visits, your physical therapists will continually assess and make additional recommendations based on your progress and whether you've met your function goals.
Just remember that rest is an extremely important part of the healing process. Taking part in rehab exercises is key to gaining strength and mobility back in the injured area. With that being said, there must be rest days in between; without it there will be no progress.
Morning: the early bird gets the workout done
Early sessions are great for a few reasons. Many people feel stiff when they get out of bed. Doing your session right when you wake up can help get your blood pumping, help you feel more nimble, and get you ready to face the day.
While your recovery is heavily influenced by your strength and mobility, it is still possible to overdo it if you aren't careful. Your physical therapist will talk to you about ways to balance physical therapy exercises and activities with proper amounts of rest.
The pain or discomfort after a therapy as part of the strengthening process is short-term and clears up for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Physical therapy will help you return to your normal lifestyle and activities. The time it takes to heal the condition varies, but results can be achieved in 2 to 8 weeks or less, when a proper posture, pain-reduction, stretching, and strengthening program is implemented.