How Long Do I Need Physical Therapy for It to Be Effective?

You know you need physical therapy, but how long is it going to take before you see results? The short answer is it depends. Treatment can range from two to twelve weeks depending on the details of the injury and the qualities of the individual. The experts at Impact Medical Port Richey will teach you how to get a general idea of how long your physical therapy journey will take with these factors in mind.

What Determines the Length?

There is no set length to encompass all physical therapy sessions. There are a number of factors that determine the duration and frequency of your visits, and there are even ways you can speed up the process. But rather than thinking about how many sessions or how many weeks you have left, your last session is decided when you reach your physical therapy goal or when you are fully healed.

The variables that determine your physical therapy journey are:

• The part of the body or the general location that’s been affected
• The severity of the injury
• The amount of effort that the patient is willing to contribute
• The patient’s natural healing rate

Your physical therapist may also recommend some at-home practices that you can do to expedite the process and make your recovery much smoother. A few examples include stretching, using ice packs, watching your nutrient intake, and staying hydrated.

Average PT Recovery Times

Although your exact recovery time through physical therapy will differ depending on you and your specific needs, you can still get a very rough idea based on past data. For instance, most physical therapy journeys start off at two or three times a week at half an hour to an hour each visit.

Affected Area	Time Frame
Muscles	2-4 weeks
Tendons	4-6 weeks
Soft tissue	6-8 weeks
Bones	6-8 weeks
Ligaments	10-12 weeks
Cartilage	Up to 12 weeks

Remember to keep in mind that these are very rough, average times and that your results will vary depending on your personal healing rate and tenacity. As long as you keep moving your body and circulating your blood through physical therapy and home exercises, your injuries won’t have time to fight back and all of your hard work will pay off sooner than later.

How to Tell When You’re Done

As stated earlier, the end goal is measured by your actual recovery rather than a predetermined date. Sometimes it’ll be obvious when you’re fully recovered. If your healing journey takes a while longer, the results may be too gradual to notice until you’re diagnosed again. A few signs of recovery include:

• Increased flexibility and range of motion in the joints
• Regained strength in the muscles
• Reduced or lack of pain

Schedule An Appointment Today!

Healing through physical therapy is a process that won’t generate results overnight. It takes patience and willpower, and we’ll help you through it all. Call Impact Medical Port Richey at (727) 848-3377 today to get started on the road to recovery. We’ll thoroughly diagnose you for a personalized plan customized to your exact needs.