Is One Physical Therapy Session Enough?

Is One Physical Therapy Session Enough? The short answer is - not likely.

But, on occasion, yes.

Let’s talk about a few situations and factors that may influence how many physical therapy appointments are ideal.

On occasion, an individual will come in for an Initial Assessment with a fairly minor, recent, or preventative/proactive need.

• In this case, assessment can be completed and a plan can be made going forward for the individual. In most cases this looks like discussing temporary modifications and therapeutic exercises. Often times this individual is still able to participate in their daily activities, hobbies and fitness without needing significant modifications.

• If the patient feels confident in completing their exercises, continuing with activity, and managing symptoms, then this is a good example of a 1-2 visit scenario.

  
  

girl going up stairs

youth squatting to lift barbell

woman doing seated stretches and exercises

In a lot of cases, patients will require about 3 to 6 treatment sessions.

• This is a number that is more common for an individual with somewhat acute (recent) symptoms that are mild to moderate.

• These individuals also typically have a fairly active lifestyle outside of physiotherapy. And they are usually following up fairly frequently to maximize the benefits of treatment sessions while their body is undergoing tissue healing timelines.

In other cases, individuals may be attending 8 to 12 treatment sessions.

• This may be seen in cases where the rehabilitation process is longer such as after a traumatic injury like a sprain, strain, fracture, surgery, tear, etc.

• This higher number of treatment sessions is often due to a combination of factors such as tissue healing timelines, continued need for exercise progressions overtime, need for continued monitoring, and hands-on treatment to assist with restrictions, pain management, swelling, etc.

man holding his foot after and ankle sprain

physiotherapist mobilizing knee

woman walking with cutches and knee brace after injury

Lastly- ongoing treatment as needed.

• For some individuals living with chronic pain or illness, progressive conditions, traumatic injuries, or other long-term conditions, the number of Physio sessions will likely be more than 12.

• Often times treatment sessions will be more frequent early on, this is to assist with symptom management while building up an individualized exercise program.

• Later down the road, patients may find they are coming in every two to six weeks for maintenance treatment as needed.

• Lifestyle factors such as sleep, stress, diet, leisure activities, etc. will fluctuate over time. During periods when lifestyle factors are more optimal, patients may also require less support at physical therapy.

All of this to say the answer is it always - it depends! And the best way to know the ideal number of physical therapy treatments is to discuss this with your physical therapist!