Understanding how long sessions are will help you in terms of planning your schedule, setting realistic expectations and maintaining the consistency of your recovery. While physical therapy sessions may vary in time, most do follow a structure that is based on your condition, progress, and treatment plan.
Typical Length of a Physical Therapy Session
A physical therapy session is for a 30 to 90-minute duration, which is average. Also, most patients attend the sessions 2 to 3 times a week at the start of the treatment. As for the length of the session it varies based on what is the type of injury, the severity of the symptoms and also if we are looking at hands-on therapy or specialized treatments.
In many of our cases, therapy starts right away after the initial evaluation. Your physical therapist will be constantly assessing improvement in pain levels, strength, flexibility, balance and overall function. As we see progress, we may change the length and frequency of your sessions over time.
First Physical Therapy Appointment vs. Follow-Up Sessions
What To Expect At Your First Physical Therapy Appointment.
Your first visit is for 60 to 90 minutes, during which we go in-depth into your condition. At this time you may also expect:.
Initial Discussion and Medical Review
Your physical therapist will take note of what you report for symptoms, pain levels, daily restrictions, medical history, and any imaging results or physician referrals. Pain may also be rated on a scale to set a baseline.
Comprehensive Physical Evaluation
A complete assessment, which in turn will bring to light movement issues and what may be problematic. This may include:
- Strength testing
- Range of motion measurements
- Balance and coordination assessment
- Functional movement evaluation
- Postural and gait analysis
- Joint and muscle assessment
- Personalised Treatment Plan Creation
Upon assessment we will develop a care plan that is tailored to your specific recovery goals. This plan may include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, stretching and pain relief techniques.
At the time of your first visit, we will present you with a treatment plan that also includes a home exercise program.
Length of Regular Physical Therapy Sessions
After an in-depth evaluation, we find the follow-up sessions, which are for 30 to 60 minutes. Also, during these sessions, which are of a guided nature, hands-on therapy, progress is tracked, and at the same time, your treatment plan is gradually advanced.
Consistency is key. Following your therapist’s advice and doing home exercises will see great results also which in turn may reduce the total number of your sessions.
What Is The Duration Of Physical Therapy Programs?
The time frame of a physical therapy program is variable for each individual. For most conditions, we see a treatment period of 6 to 8 weeks, which is the typical healing range for soft tissues. In more complex cases of injury or post surgical rehabilitation the care required is for a greater length of time.
In your program, we will reevaluate your progress and change goals as we go. As you improve, we may see a reduction in visit frequency or length of sessions, which in turn will have you do more independent exercise.
Physical Therapy Services in the Bronx
If you are looking for expert care, Perry Avenue Family Medical Center in the Bronx provides patient-focused treatment tailored to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve daily function. Our experienced therapists design individualized rehabilitation programs backed by the latest research to support recovery from injury, surgery, and chronic conditions. Explore our physical therapy services in the Bronx.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a set time that physical therapy sessions should last, but what we see as a typical range is a good indicator of what to expect. As your sessions may be of a different length, what does matter most is that you are consistent and very much a part of the process. Also, your physical therapist will take you through each stage of your care and will work with you to decide when it is time to progress, modify, or finish out your therapy program, always with your long-term health in mind.