When to start and why to stick with physical therapy

A path to long-term health

In the fast-paced world of injury recovery, physical therapy often emerges as one of the most important steps in reclaiming your mobility and strength.

But when should you start?

Why is it so crucial to finish your physical therapy sessions?

Won’t medicine do the trick?

Whether you’ve experienced an injury, undergone surgery or are dealing with chronic pain, understanding the timing and long-term commitment to physical therapy can make all the difference in your recovery.

The time to start is now

In most cases, the earlier you begin physical therapy, the better.

Starting physical therapy soon after an injury or surgery helps reduce swelling, improve mobility and prevent stiffness.

If you’re about to have surgery, it’s highly recommended that you schedule one or two prehab appointments beforehand so a physical therapist can determine your baseline strength. With this information, a physical therapist will make recommendations for moving forward, teaching you key exercises for safety and better recovery.

Consider this analogy for patient’s preparing for surgery: Strength, muscle mass and range of motion are represented by water in a cup. Physical therapists know that after surgery, a temporary loss in these measures is expected and patients will lose some “water” in their cup.

The more we can help a patient fill their cup of “water” prior to surgery with strength, range of motion and education, the less they are affected by post-op weakness and stiffness.

They can refill their cup faster and more efficiently than starting from empty if prehab has taken place.

The same applies if you’re dealing with new, onset back pain or chronic pain that you’ve had for years. If normal stretches aren’t helping, then early intervention is key.

Early movement promotes better blood flow to the affected area, which accelerates healing.

Why do people put off physical therapy?

As humans, we like quick fixes. It’s in our nature, especially when we’re surrounded by the internet and fast technology on our phones.

But physical therapy is not a quick fix. It’s a lifestyle change.

Here’s why physical therapy can be misunderstood:

• Perception of pain equals healing: Many believe that rest alone will resolve their pain or injury, so they don’t see the immediate need for physical therapy. They might assume that once the pain subsides, the problem has been “fixed.”
• Understanding the benefits: People might not understand that physical therapy goes beyond pain relief. It focuses on restoring strength, mobility and functionality, which are essential for preventing future injuries.

So are you still resting from lower back pain that you’ve had for years? 

Are you still trying to massage your hip flexors every day because they feel tight?

There are several common conditions that people avoid with physical therapy, often delaying treatment until symptoms worsen or complications arise. These include:

1. Lower back pain
2. Knee pain
3. Rotator cuff injuries
4. Plantar fasciitis
5. Chronic headaches or migraines (due to muscle tension)
6. Hip pain

Some of these conditions probably started out as subtle or mild pain. They then likely escalated in pain intensity that eventually caused you to limit your activities.

If that’s the case, it’s time to do something about your pain. Injury or chronic pain should not hinder your daily routine.

It may seem like a lot to schedule that first appointment, and then the subsequent follow-up appointments. But your physical therapist will gradually increase your motivation to come to each visit. They work with patients diligently to help them see results and to strengthen the area of concern.

A physical therapist’s focus during your session will be to increase your bone density and muscle mass to prevent future pain. They also work to form partnerships with your physician to form a care team that delivers the overall treatment you deserve.

Disadvantages of not starting physical therapy

Not starting physical therapy right away after an injury or surgery is a missed opportunity for a full recovery, and it becomes harder to turn down the body’s alarm system.

There are many disadvantages of not starting treatment right away:

1. Prolonged pain – Swelling, stiffness and pain can persist longer and without proper intervention; pain can become chronic, making it harder to recover fully and enjoy a pain-free life.
2. Loss of strength – After an injury or surgery, muscles around the affected area can weaken from disuse. The longer you wait to start physical therapy, the more likely this will occur. Muscles play a key role in stabilizing joints and maintaining body function, and if weakened, it becomes much harder to regain strength.
3. Increased risk of re-injury – The affected area may not heal properly when you avoid physical therapy, leading to instability and weakness. By avoiding it, you put yourself at greater risk of experiencing the same injury again, or even injuring another part of your body.
4. Prolonged dependence on pain medication – Many rely on pain medications to manage their symptoms while waiting for their body to heal on its own. These medications only mask the pain and don’t address the underlying issues causing the pain.
5. Compensating movements – When you don’t address an injury right away, your body may try to compensate for the weakened area by using other muscles or joints in an unnatural way. For example, if you have an ankle injury and avoid putting weight on it, you might overuse your other leg or put strain on your back and hip.

The drawbacks of delaying physical therapy are clear – slower recovery, prolonged pain and increased risk of re-injury. None of that sounds fun to deal with.

Also, waiting to start can cause delays in your healing time. Someone who schedules an appointment for pain in their hip they’ve been dealing with for a month might only have to do five to eight visits  versus someone who’s been dealing with hip pain for four years might have to do up to a 16-week treatment.

Healing times vary per person because of pre-existing morbidities, patient age, current activity length and more, but no matter what, a physical therapist will have an end goal of improving your overall quality of life.

Benefits of sticking with physical therapy

Physical therapy is a structured path toward long-term healing and improved function. Again, it’s not a quick fix.

While the road to recovery can sometimes be challenging, committing to your physical therapy treatment plan offers significant benefits that go far beyond immediate relief.

By sticking to your physical therapy regime, you can experience:

• Faster recovery – Sticking with physical therapy ensures that you reach your recovery goals more quickly, reducing the time you spend in pain and getting you back to your daily activities sooner.
• Improved strength/increased muscle mass – The more you age, the more muscle mass you need to keep your body healthy. You’ll gain strength and flexibility after every session. Over time, this increased muscle mass reduces the risk of re-injury.
• Saving money in the long run – When you commit to physical therapy, you may be able to skip having surgery altogether, or you could avoid having to make frequent doctor’s appointments to determine why your pain won’t go away.
• Emotional benefits – Dealing with an injury or chronic pain can be mentally draining. The inability to engage in normal activities can lead to frustration, anxiety and even depression. Sticking with your physical therapy program can improve your mood, reduce anxiety and increase your confidence as you see improvements in your physical abilities.
• Personalized care – Physical therapists work with your lifestyle and schedule. They understand that life is busy, so they’ll make sure that you have enough time during your week for at least one session. Your physical therapist is a partner in your recovery, meaning they’ll provide personalized plans for your specific needs and lifestyle, so there’s no need to turn your life upside-down.
• Tune-ups – After completing physical therapy, you now know exercises, stretches and other methods to positively change your lifestyle. If for some reason, after finishing physical therapy you start to feel pain again or something doesn’t feel right, a physical therapist can provide you a tune-up to be sure that everything is working properly. Remember, they are your partner in your recovery.

Physical therapy can empower you to take control of your health. It’s time to fight back against prolonged pain or nagging injuries by requesting an appointment and return to the life you love.

Stay the course, and your body will thank you.