How Quickly Does Physiotherapy Work?
We get it. You want to bounce back to normalcy as soon as possible. And the physiotherapy sessions seem to be standing between you and freedom. So you’d like to know how long they last. But with so many moving parts at play, it is almost impossible to give a straight answer. Every situation is different, and there are factors that contribute to how fast the rehabilitative treatment works. Still, you want to find an experienced physiotherapist such as Movement 101/ Physio in Wolli Creek for best results.
What Is Physiotherapy?
Also known as physical therapy, physiotherapy is a treatment that works towards improving the range of motion, improving strength, and reducing stiffness. That makes it particularly helpful to people with injuries and illnesses that affect mobility. And, the number of sessions required depends on the patient’s commitment and their current health situation.
Who Can Perform Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists are registered allied health professionals who are licensed to perform physiotherapy. They can help patients manage physical difficulties to improve movement and overall physical function. They support people with neurological conditions, intellectual disabilities, and mental illnesses. Click here to learn more about their services and where you can find qualified and experienced physiotherapists.
What Are The Types of Physiotherapy?
Below are the different types of physiotherapy:
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Musculoskeletal or orthopedic physiotherapy deals with the restoration of musculoskeletal system function. The physiotherapist focuses on improving the ligament, tendon, muscle, joint, and bone functions to treat soft-tissue damage due to injuries.
- Neurological Physiotherapy
This type of physiotherapy aims to help patients with neurological issues, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, or brain injury. Because neurologic conditions can be chronic; patients usually require lifetime physiotherapy treatment.
- Pain Management And Rehabilitation
Many patients seek pain management and rehabilitation to relieve unwanted body pains. Physiotherapists provide patients with customized treatment plans to recover after a major operation.
- Pediatric Physiotherapy
It aims to reduce pain and improve motor skills in children to help them regain range of motion (ROM) and strength. Physiotherapists help children with developmental, neuromuscular, and skeletal disorders to undergo this treatment.
How Long Does Physiotherapy Typically Last?
While there’s no definitive answer to this question, there are factors that influence the duration of physiotherapy sessions. They include:
The extent of an injury: Minor injuries usually get 2 to 3 physiotherapy sessions. But soft tissue injuries require 6 to 8 weeks of therapy to heal. And, the physiotherapist decides how many sessions you need per week. That means a person recovering from a stroke might get more sessions per week than someone who broke a hip bone.
Level of commitment: The people who heal the fastest are usually those who commit to the physiotherapist’s advice. That includes doing the prescribed stretching exercises at home, sticking to a healthy diet, and adopting good sleeping habits. Doing that speeds up recovery, translating to fewer therapy sessions.
The physiotherapist: The physio clinic you choose plays a significant role in your recovery because some places have experienced staff while others do not. Then there’s the issue of facilities. Some of the newer clinics might not have top-of-the-line equipment, and that can impact your healing process.
Generally speaking, a physio session is usually an hour-long, and the goal is to help you recover your mobility. So, the focus here is on getting better and not how many sessions you had to attend. Take this to heart, and you’ll be done with the sessions before you know it.
What Can You Expect in a Physiotherapist Session?
First, you should arrive five minutes early to allow time for the paperwork. Then the receptionist will show you the therapy room. Once you’re settled in, the physiotherapist may ask you to remove some of the clothing, especially if your injuries are at the lower back, hips, or shoulders. So it’s important to come dressed in shorts if you are not comfortable being in your undies. Still, most clinics offer shorts to anyone who is interested.
After that, the therapist will start treatment. And the method they choose depends on the type of injury and where they’re in the recovery process. They may choose to start with a soft tissue massage or constant pressure to the area. Then proceed to joint mobilization and dry needling. These two are supposed to encourage the movement of muscles, and that might result in slight discomfort. Then the session will end with advice and education.
What Should You Do After a Session?
During the initial session, you might experience soreness. And, numbing is usually not an option. That means you must get creative to deal with the discomfort.
If you’re dealing with soreness, icing the area should soothe and cool it. Do this 20 minutes at a time until the situation calms down. Also, drinking lots of water will help the body get rid of toxins after a physio session. But the key is to repeat the exercises at home for fast recovery.
How Do You Know When You’re Nearing the End of Treatment
When the pain dies down, and the functionality improves, your physiotherapist will start spacing the sessions further apart and eventually stop them. But that happens when the area’s strength has improved, and there is a physical sign of healing.
Still, communication is the key to making physio a success. Tell the therapist what you feel after the sessions so they can make an informed decision. If things are not looking right, the therapist may choose to investigate the matter with an X-ray. Alternatively, they might choose to continue with sessions and see what happens. But there are times when the therapist may choose to refer you to a specialist for surgery and other advanced treatments.
