Are you moving poorly because you are in pain? Or are you in pain because you are moving poorly? – Unknown 

 

Physiotherapy is also famous as physical therapy. It is a type of rehabilitative health to help reduce stiffness and pain. Taking physiotherapy sessions helps strengthen different body parts for better mobility and motion. Doctors suggest physical therapy to patients with muscle and joint injuries, chronic pain, and illness that affects their everyday mobility.  

 

The most common question that patients have in mind is how long it will take for the therapy to start working. Though it seems like an easy query to answer, it is not. Every individual is different, and so is the healing rate and pain tolerance. This article mentions the factors that affect the number of physiotherapy sessions it takes before showing improvement in the body.  

 

What is the average healing time for different tissues in the body?  

Each part of the body takes its own time to recover in physiotherapy sessions. More so when there is a significant injury that directly impacts your mobility. The doctors state an average healing time for different tissues, such as:  

• Tendons: It takes around four to six weeks for the tendons to recover from an injury. 
• Cartilage: It has the longest healing time among all the tissues. It takes almost 12 weeks to heal.  
• Bone: You may notice an improvement within six to eight weeks.  
• Muscles: Muscles start to show improvement in 2 weeks in minor injuries.  
• Ligaments: Such injuries are painful and can take around 12 weeks to heal or show any improvement.  

 

Note: The healing time may increase or decrease depending on various factors such as the environment, frequency of therapy, etc.  

 

What are the factors that affect the length of the physical therapy? 

Direct and indirect factors impact physiotherapy’s time to work on your body. A physiotherapist must communicate with his patients about the timeline and what factors can increase or decrease the number of therapy sessions. The main factors responsible are:  

• The injury and its magnitude: The damage plays a significant role in determining how long the physiotherapy may take to work on it. If you have a substantial injury on the spine, knees, or other bones, it may take longer for the therapy to show results. However, if you have minor injuries, it may start to show improvement within 2-3 weeks.  

 

• The patient’s will to recover: No therapy is a one-way road. The patient’s willpower plays an equal role in promoting healthy healing. The physiotherapist suggests some dietary changes, exercise, and lifestyle changes improve the condition. It is up to the patient to follow the suggestions. If the patient does not commit to completing the course, the sessions will take longer to show any impact on the injury. The time spent in the physio session will only make a difference when the patient keeps a check on his activities outside the treatment room.  

 

Wrapping it all up  

Whether you choose physiotherapy after an injury or reduce pains because of a sedentary lifestyle, the time of healing majorly depends on the extent of damage to the body tissues. As a physical therapy patient, your willpower to recover will help the therapist try out different ways to heal you at the earliest. Experts suggest asking questions and communicating clearly with your physiotherapist before starting the sessions. It will help in setting up realistic expectations from the therapy.