How Many Physiotherapy Sessions Will I Need?
One of our most frequently asked questions is “how many physiotherapy sessions will I need?” We understand the need to know what you can expect, but at the same time, there is no easy answer to this question. In fact, there are so many variables that go into the amount of sessions that you are unlikely to need the same amount as someone else. Here’s what you should know.
Physiotherapy Consultation
When you visit your Melbourne physiotherapist for the first time, you might have been referred by your physician or even just based on your own inkling. Regardless, you are visiting a physiotherapist for the treatment or prevention of an injury, pain, or condition. This means that when you come in for your first physiotherapy appointment, you will need to be assessed to review your history, your symptoms, and what your end results should look like.
During this consultation you will be presented with treatment options including what the most effective treatment plan would look like. Treatment sessions include any of the following possibilities:
- Manual therapy, including massage, stretching, and joint mobilization
- Acupuncture
- Therapeutic exercises
- Pelvic floor therapy
- Injury prevention
- Education
- Myotherapy
Even the length of a session can vary depending on what you need.
The Amount of Sessions
If you look at the list about, you should be able to see that there is not a quick and easy answer for the amount of sessions that you need. After your initial assessment with the physiotherapist, you both will have a better idea of what is going on and what will need to happen to relieve you of any pain.
It is unlikely that your treatment will be completed in only one visit, but even then it depends on what you are dealing with. The treatment of acute problems will focus on inflammation reduction, scar reduction, and pain reduction. This is with the aim of promoting healthy healing. You will also learn what you can do to prevent a similar issue in the future.
Meanwhile, more chronic or long-term conditions will need to address the cause of the issue. Sessions will include posture work, movement patterns, muscle stretching, and even joint health. Chronic conditions have been impacting your life and body longer than acute problems have and will likely require more sessions in order to bring you to better mobility as your body has to be retrained and strengthened.
What’s Involved
In both acute and chronic situations, you will most likely need both muscle and joint work. The muscles could be tight, strained, and even weak, all of which can cause you pain. Strengthening and stretching exercises can benefit the muscles and help reduce any discomfort that you might be dealing with, but all of that work takes time to achieve. Likewise, stiff or out of alignment joints will need to be worked with gently in order to alleviate trouble and put you on the road to recovery.
The best thing that you can do is schedule your initial assessment with the physiotherapist. Then, you will have a better idea of what is in store for you.
