When you’re in pain because of an injury or medical condition, it is only natural that you want to feel better as soon as possible. So, the most common question patients ask is, “How many physiotherapy sessions will I need?”
But when it comes to getting the right treatment to make a full recovery, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why it’s important to understand what happens at each step of your physiotherapy journey.
For personalised advice on how many physiotherapy sessions you need, contact your physio at ‘The Physio Movement – Physiotherapy Townsville‘ today.
Getting An Initial Assessment
Because each person’s situation is different, a physiotherapist needs to fully understand your symptoms and your recovery goals. This will enable them to tailor a personalised treatment plan, estimating the amount, frequency and intensity of physiotherapy you will need.
Your first appointment will typically be a one-hour session, where your physiotherapist will ask you about:
- Your pain patterns, symptoms and concerns
- Your past medical history and records, including any tests such as X-rays and CT scans
- The results you would like to see from physiotherapy.
They’ll also complete a physical assessment to test your strength, reflexes, balance, posture, and anything else that might be relevant to your injury or condition. Then your physiotherapist will discuss their findings and the potential cause of the problem.
During the initial consultation, your physio will present you with a detailed treatment plan, based on the results of the assessment.
What To Expect From Your Treatment Plan
Your treatment plan may involve one or more different treatment options, including:
- Joint mobilisation and manipulation
- Muscle energy techniques
- Exercise therapy
- Kinesio taping
- Orthotics
- Dry needling
- Myofascial release techniques
- Trunk strengthening programs
- Clinical Pilates
- Pelvic floor therapy
For both acute and chronic conditions, you may need to work on strengthening and stretching your muscles to reduce pain and discomfort, as well as gently re-working joints that are stiff or out of alignment.
The time for each treatment varies, with some sessions as short as 15 minutes while longer treatments may take up to 90 minutes or more. Your physiotherapy sessions may also become less frequent over time, with greater emphasis placed on at-home exercises.
At the end of each treatment session, your physio will complete a short evaluation to monitor your progress. As you move towards recovery, they’ll make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan to help keep you on track to reaching your goals. If they feel your treatment is not progressing as planned, they may refer you to a specialist for further investigation.
Determining The Length Of Your Treatment
There are many factors that can determine how long it takes your body to recover. For example, an acute injury such as sprain or fracture may be treated with a few physiotherapy sessions, depending on how soon you begin treatment after the injury occurs. If it’s a soft tissue injury, it can take weeks for the soft tissue to heal.
On the other hand, recovery from chronic conditions may take months or even years, as your body will need to be strengthened to reach the level of mobility you enjoyed previously. What’s more, certain medical conditions can delay the recovery process by attacking the body’s immune system or weakening its ability to regenerate. If you suffer from one of these conditions, you may require more physiotherapy sessions than other patients with the same injury.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or poor diet, can have an additional impact on recovery, resulting in a longer treatment period. Your age can also play a role: if you are an older patient, you can generally expect a longer treatment period. No matter what your age, it is important to aid your recovery with positive dietary and sleep habits.
But the most significant factor in the length of your treatment is you. Remember, your treatment doesn’t only include your sessions with a physiotherapist. They will also provide you with daily tasks to complete at home, which may include exercises, stretches or heat or ice packs. The more committed you are to doing your “homework”, the faster your recovery is likely to be – with fewer visits to the physiotherapist.
You’ll know when you are reaching the end of your treatment when you see a reduction or elimination of pain and discomfort, and an overall improvement in your functioning and strength.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
The best way to get an accurate picture of how many physiotherapy sessions you’ll need is to book your initial assessment with a physiotherapist. That will give you an immediate understanding of what is causing you pain – and how to start feeling better.
At The Physio Movement, our dedicated practitioners offer a wide range of physiotherapy services to help you meet your recovery goals. You can make an appointment online, or email info@thephysiomovemement.com.au to chat with a team member about your needs.
