How Frequent Should Physiotherapy Sessions Be?
When faced with pain, injury, or limited mobility, physiotherapy is often the go-to option for many people. However, a common question these people ask is ‘How frequent should physiotherapy sessions be?’. While a cut-and-dry answer would be nice and simple, the truth is that everybody is different and there’s no universal answer to this often-asked question.
Whether you’re dealing with an acute injury, chronic health condition, or post-surgical rehabilitation, getting the right balance of session frequency may be key to achieving the outcomes you’re looking for.
This article explores the factors influencing how often people go to physiotherapy, the typical phases of treatment, and how often you might expect to see your physiotherapist. For personalised advice, contact our team at Muscle Joint Bone today.
Before Your Physiotherapy Journey
When you first visit a physiotherapist, they will talk with you about your concerns in order to best understand your symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day life. They’ll also ask you about your medical history, any tests you’ve had such as X-rays or CT scans, and your goals for recovery. They may also conduct physical assessments to check things like your range of motion, strength, reflexes, balance, and anything else that might be relevant.
Your physiotherapist will then use this information to form your treatment plan, which should also include an approximate length of treatment or expected number of treatment sessions.
Beginning Your Physiotherapy Journey
Stage 1
In the beginning, most physiotherapists will likely recommend you see them two or three times a week, especially if you have an acute injury or require post-surgical rehabilitation. This frequency allows them to monitor your progress closely and to make any adjustments as necessary.
Depending on your needs and goals, key treatment options may include:
- Joint mobilisation
- Joint manipulation
- Manual therapy techniques
- Exercise therapy
- Dry needling
- Myofascial release
- Taping
Stage 2
After the initial treatment phase, the frequency of your sessions will likely decrease. As your treatment plan will be personalised, so will the frequency of your sessions. For some people this may be once or twice a week, while for others it may be once a fortnight, depending on their condition and progress.
Despite sessions typically becoming less frequent at this stage, your physiotherapist may also introduce at-home exercises tailored to your needs. By keeping up with these as prescribed, you may be better able to maintain your progress between sessions and even reduce your session frequency further.
Stage 3
This is what’s often referred to as the maintenance phase, where your sessions might reduce to monthly or even less frequently as your recovery progresses. This phase is just as important as the earlier ones, as it’s possible for issues to linger and even recur. For athletes and people with physically demanding jobs, physiotherapy at and past this stage may even assist with preventing injuries in the future.
What Determines Physiotherapy Session Frequency?
While the three phases are a general guide to physiotherapy, everybody’s journey is different. Your physiotherapist will consider many factors when deciding how often you should attend sessions, such as:
- The type of injury or condition— Short-term treatment may be adequate for acute injuries like sprains and fractures, while chronic conditions like arthritis and lower back pain typically require ongoing care
- The severity and complexity of your condition— Severe conditions tend to call for more frequent sessions, especially early on in the treatment process
- Your age and overall health— Older adults typically don’t heal as fast as younger adults or children, but this may vary widely depending on a person’s overall health
- Commitment to home exercises— Not everybody prescribed at-home exercises commits to them fully, and if so, this may slow down progress and extend the number of sessions
- Lifestyle— People with specific goals, such as returning to their sport, may require more sessions than a more sedentary individual
Ready to Get Physical?
At Muscle Joint Bone, we know that every person— and every body— is unique. That’s why we create customised treatment plans tailored to your needs and goals, so the care you deserve is always close by. With clinics in Epping, Doreen, and Balwyn North, our physiotherapy team is here to support you every step of the way, from initial recovery to long-term wellness. To find out more, book your appointment today!