What Happens When You Stop Going To Physical Therapy When Injured?

Physical therapy is often the go-to treatment method for dealing with injuries affecting the muscles and tendons that may occur after a car crash or sport-related accident. What many patients fail to realize is that PT is an entire journey to be seen to the end, not something that you practice only until you feel better. Plenty of active individuals with high motivation and great willpower are tempted to end their PT plan early, but that almost always ends poorly.

When you stop going to physical therapy when injured, it can halt or slow down your treatment, and in some cases, reverse any progress that has been made. Learn more about these adverse effects and when’s an appropriate time to end your treatment before calling Impact Medical Plant City to schedule your physical therapy appointment.

Injuries That Require Physical Therapy Treatment

There are a number of reasons why practitioners will recommend physical therapy. PT can train the body back to normal in response to an accident injury or a sports injury, but it can also aid in rehabilitation after surgery. If an accident has left you with personal injury symptoms, then PT may be the best choice for you.

The Most Common Reasons for Quitting PT Early

Patients undergoing physical therapy are usually asked to attend multiple sessions throughout a set amount of time to guarantee a full recovery. This may sound intimidating to the busy individual with a packed schedule, or someone who is on a budget and feels as though they can’t afford multiple visits. The main factor that tends to tip the scale is the absence of severe pain. If the pain is minimal, or there doesn’t seem to be any clear indicators of pain after an accident, then it can be easier to shrug it off and let things sort themselves. Of course, it’s not that simple.

The Adverse Effects of Ending Your PT Plan Preemptively

You could feel confident in cutting your PT plan short and still end up with adverse side effects that may make your situation even worse than before. Ending physical therapy early can result in the following:

Incomplete healing
Limited mobility
Stiff joints and muscles
Chronic symptoms
Lingering pain or discomfort
Weak muscles

When Is An Appropriate Time to End Your PT Journey?

If you don’t want to risk ending your physical therapy journey too soon, how can you tell when’s the right time to stop your sessions for a complete recovery? Your specialist will have a better idea of a realistic timeframe so you can play it safe by heeding their suggestions. Otherwise, you may be able to tell if you are no longer seeing notable signs of progress. This may indicate that you have reached your limit for strength and mobility which is the ultimate goal of PT.

Because PT plans are fully customized to the patient, considering factors such as the scope and severity of the injury and the state of the body, there is no general recommendation that you can find anywhere online. Treatment plans can range anywhere from one or two sessions to entire months.

Receive Close Guidance on Physical Therapy at Impact Medical Plant City

You can receive proper physical therapy treatment at Impact Medical Plant City where our physical therapists craft customized recovery plans, give valuable advice, and offer close guidance during each session. If your budget is an obstacle, call our team in Plant City today at 813-578-0943 to ask about our financing options and affordable services.