Like any good machine, the human body needs a bit of tuning every now and then. For those who are active in sports or recovering from inflammation or surgery, that’s especially true. If you’re a good candidate for some form of physical therapy, you should leap at that opportunity.
Chronic pain is an unfortunate reality for many of us, regardless of age, gender, or body type. The best way to tackle persistent pain is through equally persistent treatment. This raises a key question: how often should you see a physical therapist?
The answer relies on a number of factors.
When your body can’t keep up
A growing number of the US population is either suffering from or at risk of chronic aches or poor mobility. Athletic, exercise, and work-related activities are a leading cause of repetitive strain and injury.
Pain is also an issue if you’re
- recovering from routine or emergency surgery, or
- suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and several other issues
Another key problem is the effect of physical stress or illness on mobility. Pain and inflammation can seriously hinder your normal movement, which affects your work and your personal life. It’s a complex problem that needs a holistic solution.
Understanding physical therapy
The concept of physical therapy may not extend beyond a simple stretch or light massage. In reality, it can be a combination of therapeutic methods.
Finding the source
All forms of therapy begin with determining the exact area of pain. The physician will ask you about your condition before doing a hands-on diagnosis.
This step is essential because it also allows the physician to judge if you can handle frequent physical intervention.
Types of therapy
After pinpointing the source of pain comes the task of prescribing the right treatment method. There are a few different techniques, each with a distinct approach to addressing discomfort.
-
Manual therapy
Perhaps the simplest and most recognizable therapeutic approach of them all. Manual therapy involves either a gentle or deep massage of soft tissues or affected muscles. The physician can also guide you through a series of stretching or strengthening exercises.
-
Laser therapy
Laser therapy uses low-level laser technology, such as K-laser therapy, as a non-invasive pain remedy for joint or spinal pain.
The physician exposes the pained region to infrared light, either in pulses or in one continuous wave. The light energizes cells and tissues, promotes healing, and reduces inflammation.
-
Electrical therapy
Accelerated Recovery Performance, or ARP, is a type of therapy that uses mild electrical shockwaves. It stimulates communication between nerves and muscles, which promotes healing.
-
Dry needling
In this technique, your doctor will target stiff or knotted muscles with a filiform needle.
How often should you see your physician?
On to the main question of how many sessions of physical therapy are needed. Typically, your physician will have to make a diagnosis before deciding on a long-term treatment plan.
Here are some things that will determine your therapy needs.
Keep your condition in mind
Your age, lifestyle, and where and how much pain affects you play a crucial role in deciding how often you should see a physical therapist.
Acute injuries don’t need that much more time to heal, especially if the point of pain is within reach. That way, you can continue further treatment at home if necessary.
Handling chronic pain, on the other hand, demands more dedication and frequent visits.
The type of therapy for your body
Different physical therapies use different methods for dealing with similar types of painful conditions. That, along with the nature of your pain and professional advice, plays a role in how often you should see your chiropractor or physician.
Most individual sessions of physical therapy take between an hour to 90 minutes to thoroughly address the problem. But how many sessions will you need?
- For massage therapy, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking to distress, monthly sessions are adequate. For severe sports-related strain, this frequency can increase to weekly or even bi-weekly sessions.
- Laser therapy typically involves two visits per week for up to a month. For chronic pain, most physicians recommend 12 of these sessions, while acute pain demands only half of that.
- ARPneuro® therapy combines electrical treatment and physical exercise. Research suggests you may need between 10 to 20 sessions, but the exact details could vary.
- Similar to massage therapy, dry needling for chronic pain requires one to two visits per week for around six weeks.
Phases of recovery
The journey to recovering from the chronic phase is a four-stage process.
- Acute phase: addressing the initial pain and treatment preferences
- Intermediate phase: transitioning from light therapy to more intense exercise
- Advanced phase: building strength and endurance
- Returning to full activity
Your progress through each of these stages can determine how often you need physical therapy.
Customized therapy
As mentioned earlier, a key step of the acute phase involves your physician or chiropractor testing your strength and limits. Then they can prescribe tailored plans and sessions for meeting your therapeutic goals.
Tips for pain management between visits
Exercise at home
For a faster recovery, your doctor may recommend exercises you can do at home or in the office between visits.
Diet and hydration
Nutrition and hydration help energize muscles and nerves, allowing your body to heal faster.
Keep in touch with your doctor
At any point, you can contact your GP or physician for advice on how to keep yourself active and avoid over-exertion.
Restoring comfort and mobility, one session at a time
When dealing with an adversary like chronic pain, it’s important to take your time. Everyone’s pain management needs are different and often require unique solutions. So, instead of wondering how often you should see a physical therapist, book a consultation and take things one step at a time.
