How long does physical therapy take for lower back pain?

But on average, patients can expect to be in physical therapy for six to eight weeks as strength and mobility progress with every session. If your back pain continues to be severe or even worse, physical therapy may take longer or may be recommended after surgical intervention.

Does physical therapy actually help lower back pain?

After an episode of low back pain has lasted between two and six weeks, or if there are frequent recurrences of low back pain, physical therapy is often recommended. Some spine specialists consider physical therapy sooner, particularly if the pain is severe.

How long does it take to see results from physical therapy?

Average healing times for different types of tissues

Muscle can take up to two to four weeks. Tendon can take up to four to six weeks. Bone can take up to six to eight weeks.

Can physical therapy worsen back pain?

While many patients perceive physical therapy as a process that increases pain (with physical therapists sometimes referred to jokingly as “torturing” patients), the reality is that physical therapy's purpose is to reduce pain, not increase it.

What can I expect from PT for back pain?

Your therapist will teach proper body posture techniques for sitting, standing, and lifting that reduce the likelihood of back strain or injury. You will also learn specific exercises to do at home. Regularly performing these recommended home exercises can help your back muscles strengthen more quickly.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation: Low back pain exercises

Is walking good for lower back pain?

The simple movement of walking is one of the best things we can do for chronic lower back pain. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking twice a day will help ease lower back pain. Substitute this activity for a more vigorous type of exercise if you prefer and/or are able.

How long does it take to improve back pain?

"Most people's back pain dissipates in about a week or two, but if your pain is long-term or chronic, it's time to see a spine specialist."

How long should I do physical therapy?

In general, you should attend physical therapy until you reach your PT goals or until your therapist—and you—decide that your condition is severe enough that your goals need to be re-evaluated. Typically, it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for soft tissue to heal, so your course of PT may last about that long.

How many days a week should you do physical therapy?

A typical order for physical therapy will ask for 2-3 visits per week for 4-6 weeks. Sometimes the order will specify something different. What generally happens is for the first 2-3 weeks, we recommend 3x per week. This is because it will be the most intensive portion of your treatment.

How do you know if physical therapy is working?

If you faithfully complete your exercise homework and your range of motion has not changed after a few appointments, it's time for a discussion with your physical therapist. If you do not progress, it may be time for a second opinion. You don't see a progression in your treatment plan.

How many physical therapy sessions do I need?

On average, non-surgical patients graduate after 10-12 visits, but often start to feel improvement after just a few sessions. However, your progress and the number of physical therapy sessions you need will depend on your individual condition and commitment to therapy.

When is the best time of day to do physical therapy?

the risk of injury is lowest and physical performance peaks between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. muscles are strongest between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

How long does physical therapy take for a herniated disc?

Physical therapy will help you return to your normal lifestyle and activities. The time it takes to heal the condition varies, but results can be achieved in 2 to 8 weeks or less, when a proper posture, pain-reduction, stretching, and strengthening program is implemented.

Does physical therapy get worse before it gets better?

Physical therapy is a common and legitimate treatment option for many different conditions, injuries, as well as surgery recovery. Physical therapy is aimed at improving symptoms and pain, but sometimes patients experience worsening symptoms after engaging in physical therapy exercises.

What if physical therapy doesn't work for back pain?

Unfortunately, physical therapy has shown little progress towards controlling the back pain epidemic. Studies show that the majority of unspecific low back pain cases will return to normal within six weeks WITHOUT any treatment. Coincidentally, many conventional PTs see patients two times a week for about six weeks.

What happens if physical therapy doesnt work?

Avoid treatments that don't help.

If your treatment doesn't help, then you have wasted those visits. Also, if treatment doesn't help, people are more likely to seek unnecessary tests, injections, and surgery. These can be costly and risky.

Should I rest after physical therapy?

Just remember that rest is an extremely important part of the healing process. Taking part in rehab exercises is key to gaining strength and mobility back in the injured area. With that being said, there must be rest days in between; without it there will be no progress.

Is it proper to tip your physical therapist?

I'm in PT school now but in the past have worked as an LMT in similar settings, and have known many other LMTs who did as well. It is commonplace for people to tip LMTs whether or not they are patients with insurance coverage. In general, some patients tip while others don't, and there is no expectation either way.

How often do you attend physical therapy?

After about six to eight weeks of consistent treatments and seeing progress, your PT will likely recommend that the frequency be lessened to one visit a week. This encourages the independent management of your condition and promotes the habit of at-home exercises.

Can physical therapy take months?

Over time, as your body heals and the physiotherapist looks at how your body responds, they will shift your program accordingly. While the visits will span out and reduce, the whole journey may take several months.

Should physical therapy exercises be done everyday?

Your body needs time to rest and heal, and going through your exercises every day doesn't provide the break your body needs. On the other hand, if you have a few different exercises, your provider may allow you to split them up and do them on alternating days.

What if my lower back pain doesn't go away?

Lower back pain usually gets better with rest and pain relievers. Back pain that doesn't go away may be a sign of a more serious condition. See your provider if you have: Pain that doesn't get better after about a week of at-home care.

How do you know if back pain is muscle or disc?

Your spinal disc is at the bottom of your back, so if you have pain in your lower back, you may assume it is a slipped disc. Furthermore, the feeling of pain will differ between the two. Muscle pain will feel like post-workout soreness, while disc pain will feel debilitating and tingly.

Can lower back pain last months?

Andrew Manuel Nava, M.D. Back pain is considered chronic if it lasts three months or longer. It can come and go, often bringing temporary relief, followed by frustration. Dealing with chronic back pain can be especially trying if you don't know the cause.

Can stretching make back pain worse?

If a person's low back pain is the result of an injury to the intervertebral disc, then stretching could actually exacerbate their pain.