Physical therapy is a great way to help you recover from an injury or illness. But how long does it usually last? A good physical therapist will track your progress and check to see if you're gaining in range of motion, function, and strength. Generally, it will take six to eight weeks for soft tissue to heal, meaning a typical physical therapy program will last about that long. While the time may vary depending on several factors, you can expect a typical physical therapy session to last about an hour and remain stable throughout the program. The key to healing is blood flow.
The reason why muscle heals faster than any other tissue is because it has a rich blood supply that provides the nutrients and oxygen needed for healing. Tendons and ligaments have a limited blood supply, so they take longer to heal. Physical therapy stimulates blood flow to accelerate healing. The cartilage has no blood supply, making it extremely slow to heal. This is one of the reasons knee and hip physical therapy may take longer.
But it also explains why physical therapy can help accelerate healing, since movement promotes joint lubrication. Bone needs to withstand loads in order to heal. Bones are made to withstand weight, but a broken bone can't support as much weight as a healthy bone. After a fracture, the bone must be immobilized for a period of time, but as healing progresses, applying weight to the bone can promote healing. This is why walking plasters are beneficial for broken bones in the legs, ankles, or feet. The length of a physical therapy session can vary almost as much as the variation in the usual duration of physical therapy.
While some muscle strains or strains require surgery, physical therapy can also be very effective in treating these injuries. Therefore, the duration of physical therapy treatment and the overall prognosis depend on many factors. When you choose Primal Physical Therapy, we'll work together to make sure you can get back to the activities you love. If you are in a situation where you need physical therapy treatment, you should work with a licensed physical therapist. The Manhattan Physical Therapy and Pain Center has an excellent track record of success in treating back pain caused by sprains, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, spondylolisthesis or whiplash injuries. However, if your physical therapist is an expert in balance rehabilitation, he or she will examine you for underlying balance deficiencies.
Your commitment to your health and your home exercise program can also influence the length of physical therapy for you and your condition. The job of a physical therapist is to assist you in the recovery process by helping you regain full mobility in the injured appendix or part of the body and by reducing blood flow restriction. Understanding your goals and your current level of functioning will help your physical therapist determine your care plan.