The length of time you need to attend physical therapy depends on several factors. These include the type of injury or condition being treated, your overall health, and how well you follow your treatment plan. Cleveland Clinic notes that some people might only need a few weeks of physical therapy treatment, while others might need months or years of professional support.
Physical therapy is highly individualized, and no two treatment plans are the same. However, understanding some of the factors that determine the length of treatment may help you get an estimate for your own treatment journey. If you want an accurate treatment timeline tailored to your situation, you can consult with a licensed physical therapist.
How long do people usually go to physical therapy? 5 key determining factors
- Condition severity — The nature of your injury or condition will play a big role in your recovery time. The more serious the injury, the longer physical therapy is usually needed. If you’re recovering from a minor strain or sprain, you might only need to go to physical therapy for two to four weeks. If you’ve sustained a more significant injury, like a ligament tear or bone fracture, you might need around three months of treatment. For chronic conditions like arthritis, ongoing management may be needed. A licensed physical therapist will assess your condition at the start of treatment. They can then create a timeline that matches your condition and recovery goals.
- Surgery needs — In some cases, injuries and other conditions require surgery. While surgery can be necessary for recovery, it tends to involve a longer overall recovery timeline. After surgery, your body will need time to heal. Fortunately, physical therapy can help you each step of the way with pre- and postsurgical rehab. Before surgery, your physical therapist can help you prepare your body. Techniques such as strengthening exercises may reduce the risk of complications during surgery. They can also make you more physically resilient, which may accelerate your postoperative recovery. After surgery, your physical therapist can help you regain strength, flexibility and general functionality. The duration of postsurgical PT will depend on the specific operation. After a knee replacement, for example, you might spend up to a year in recovery.
- Current health — Your overall well-being can affect your recovery process. Younger, healthier individuals often heal faster than older adults or those with underlying health conditions. Health and lifestyle factors that might influence your recovery time include age, weight, diet and activity level. Your physical therapist can help you make positive lifestyle changes. For example, they might recommend ways to manage stress and stay active each day. Making healthy lifestyle changes may help you see faster results in physical therapy.
- Treatment engagement — Being proactive in treatment can make a big difference. Physical therapy doesn’t just happen in the clinic. What you do at home can play a huge role in how quickly you recover. If you consistently follow your home exercise program, you may need fewer sessions overall. On the other hand, skipping exercises or ignoring your therapist’s recommendations can slow progress and extend your treatment time.
- Recovery goals — The end of treatment isn’t the same for everyone. Your treatment timeline will largely depend on your recovery end goals. For one person, recovery might look like getting symptoms under control. For another person, recovery might mean regaining full physical capabilities after an injury. You may even strive to improve your physical capabilities beyond what they were before your injury or condition. Your goals might depend on your occupation. For example, someone who needs to return to a desk job may complete physical therapy sooner than an athlete who needs to run, jump or lift heavy weights. During treatment, your physical therapist will take your personal goals into account. They can create a career-specific recovery plan to make sure you’re ready to return to your usual activities at the end of treatment.
Accelerate your recovery journey with REPAIR SI
At REPAIR SI, we understand that every recovery journey is unique. When you start treatment with us, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan to optimize your personal recovery. We offer a range of treatments such as dry needling, postural training and cupping therapy. Our comprehensive treatment offerings enable us to build a highly customized treatment plan for each patient. Whether you need a few sessions or several months of care, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Contact our team today to learn more about PT treatment timelines or to schedule an initial appointment.