Factor One: The extent of the injury

Physiotherapy is used in the treatment of a huge range of injuries. Broadly speaking, though, you might categorise treatment into the following: minor injuries, soft tissue injuries, and more complicated or serious conditions.

Minor injuries you might expect 2-3 sessions of physiotherapy; soft tissue injuries you would be looking more towards 6 – 8 weeks, as this is roughly how long it takes for soft tissue to heal in most cases; and more chronic or serious conditions taking 2 or more months of treatment depending on the level of progress being made.

Notably, the number of weeks required doesn’t necessarily equate to the number of physiotherapy appointments. For instance, it is often the case that appointments become less frequent over time, with more emphasis placed upon the completion of exercises performed at home, which brings us to our next point…

Factor Two: The level of commitment to recovery

Physiotherapy is far from a one-way street. Patients who progress the fastest tend to be those who commit wholeheartedly to completing the exercises and stretches prescribed by their physio, as well as making positive changes to their diet and sleep habits. With only a short period of time spent together each week or fortnight, the time spent outside of the treatment room is just as important — if not more.

Factor Three: The breadth of expertise of the physiotherapy clinic

The human body is inherently complicated — even more so when an injury becomes chronic. In such circumstances, added complications can mask the root cause and cause symptoms to present in a manner far from normal. The experience of the team of clinicians within the physio clinic is vital in this instance.

Here at Katie Bell Physiotherapy & Wellness we are extremely fortunate to have such a large team of physiotherapists. The sharing of knowledge and experience between the team is something that has a tremendously positive impact on our treatment outcomes. Equally, having access to the best equipment for further investigation, such as Diagnostic Ultrasound for the imaging of musculoskeletal disorders, is something that allows us to fully get to grips with the pain or discomfort you’re currently experiencing.

You’ll know you’re nearing the end of treatment when:

You will know that you’re nearing the end of your treatment when the following has taken place: pain has reduced or eliminated; it becomes clear that healing has occurred; function has improved; and the range of motion and the strength of the area in question has increased.

Towards these outcomes, communication is key. Each appointment should include a discussion and renewed assessment around the state of progress. At the point at which progress is not being made as expected, then your physiotherapist should look to get a second opinion or refer you to a specialist for further investigation. In essence, treatment should be progressive and dynamic, not simply a continuation of findings from the initial consultation.

In summary, then, if you’re concerned about how long treatment might go on for, you feel like you’ve been taken for a ride by a physiotherapist previously or just simply misunderstood, then find a physiotherapist in Sheffield with expertise across a wide range of injuries, access to the latest equipment, and excellent reviews that speak of trust and ease of communication. If you’re in or around central and south Sheffield, then look no further than Katie Bell Physiotherapy & Wellness.

To make that first step towards getting back to normal, claim your complimentary physiotherapy consultation today.