How Many Times a Week Should You Go to Physical Therapy? : When recovering from an injury or accident, physical therapy is one of the most effective forms of care. Receiving physical therapy in Denver, Colorado (for those in the Mile High State) can help you recover faster from an injury and get you back to the active lifestyle you love. Whether you’re recovering from a sports-related injury or an injury related to a car accident, physical therapy can help get you back to top health.
But if you’ve never engaged in physical therapy before, you’re bound to have quite a few questions. Many first-time patients are mostly concerned about how long a physical therapy program will take. This is a fair concern as we all want to get back to our best health as soon as possible. However, there is no exact time frame for an effective physical therapy program. Depending on your injury and recovery needs, a physical therapy program may take just a few weeks to months. Here, we’re taking a closer look at how long a typical physical therapy program takes and learning more about how this type of care works.
How Does Physical Therapy Work?
Most of us have heard about this type of care, but have you stopped to really define it? In general terms, physical therapy is a type of healthcare that works to provide pain relief, improve mobility, and help patients enjoy their healthy and active lifestyles. In fact, regular physical therapy can prove critical to help athletes stay at top performance and to help individuals of all fitness levels reduce the risk of future injuries.
Physical therapy looks different for each patient. However, at its core, this type of treatment is based on a series of specific exercises and stretches that help patients regain strength, improve their mobility, and recover from injuries and ailments. Some physical therapy sessions may also include massage therapy, heat or cold therapy, warm water therapy, or even ultrasound which can be effective at treating muscle pain and muscle spasms.
Physical therapy is also an effective form of rehab for patients learning how to use an artificial limb or adapting to a device like a walker or a cane. As a form of holistic care, physical therapy works with the entire body. By healing one part of the body, whether it’s a serious injury or a certain muscle, the entire body benefits. This is just one of the many reasons why physical therapy is so effective.
Who Could Benefit from Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy can benefit many different types of patients. For those recovering from major injuries to those simply looking to improve their fitness, physical therapy is a safe, holistic, and non-invasive approach to care.
Physical therapy can benefit those experiencing:
- Sports-related injuries: especially for those playing contact sports like football or hockey, injuries are bound to arise for even the most well-conditioned athletes. Physical therapy can effectively treat a wide range of sports-related injuries, such as tennis elbow or a concussion, and even speed up recovery time. This is why pro sports teams will usually hire physical therapists for their healthcare staff. Regular physical therapy can also help ward off future injuries by improving your overall fitness.
- Neurological issues: the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system are intricately linked, which means that a health problem affecting one part could impact the entirety of your health. Physical therapy can be beneficial for those recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or for someone living with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
- Musculoskeletal injuries: recovering from chronic pain, a torn rotator cuff, or even TMJ issues can all be assisted by visiting a professional physical therapist. Physical therapists are trained to address an array of injuries and ailments that affect your musculoskeletal system.
- Pediatric conditions: even young children can benefit from a physical therapy program. Children experiencing cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or developmental delays can all benefit from physical therapy care.
How Many Times a Week Should You Go to Physical Therapy?
There’s no perfect number of physical therapy sessions to ensure a successful recovery. As your physical therapist will certainly know, each journey toward recovery is unique to the individual and their healthcare needs. If you’re wondering how many times a week you’ll need to go to physical therapy, your physical therapist will outline goals and expectations at an early stage in your therapy program.
Depending on the severity of your injury, most physical therapy programs last weeks to a series of months. Generally, attending a physical therapist session once a week will be sufficient. However, your therapist may want to meet more frequently during the beginning stages of treatment. The duration and frequency of your sessions will depend on your specific needs.
Conclusion
Physical therapy is a safe, non-invasive, and effective form of treatment for a wide variety of patients with different recovery needs. Individuals are often referred to a physical therapist when they’re recovering from an accident, such as a car accident, an injury, or major surgery. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to who can benefit from this type of care. If you’re experiencing an injury and you’re in the process of recovery, physical therapy may be an ideal part of your treatment.
Physical therapy is effective for many different ailments. If you’re suffering from chronic pain,
limited mobility in your joints, sports-related injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, or any issue affecting your musculoskeletal system, physical therapy could help. Additionally, if you’re experiencing a neurological condition, such as a stroke, spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis, physical therapy could also be effective.
While there is no exact answer for how long a physical therapy program will be, it’s common to expect at least a few weeks to months for the program to help you achieve lasting results. While most patients may see their physical therapist at least once a week, it’s important to keep up with the exercises and stretches on your own time as well. That’s where the true success in physical therapy lies. By working with the support of a licensed physical therapist, this type of care can help you recover faster from an injury and enjoy long-lasting recovery.
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