How Long Are PT Appointments? What To Expect From Them?

Did you book the first physical therapy in your life, and now the anxiety is not going to let you sleep? Is your brain constantly thinking about how long are PT appointments so you can be mentally and physically prepared? Stay with us because we have answered all your questions regarding the physical therapy sessions.

How Long Are Physical Therapy Appointments Typically?

So, how long do physical therapy appointments last? An average PT appointment takes 40 to 60 minutes and is scheduled 2 to 3 times weekly. During it, the physical therapy team helps ease the pain in the infected area to promote healthy movement.

Depending on the severity of your injury and the degree of pain, you will be asked to join the sessions weekly or daily. The typical one-hour appointment can extend to more than an hour if the patient is willing and the injury is quite complex. 

Factors Affecting Physical Therapy Appointment Duration

Before we get into how long is a first physical therapy session, we need to know the what are factors that determine your therapy session. 

1. Type of Ailment

It means the type of injury you have undergone and which body part is affected. Different areas of the body have different recovery speeds, so the kind of ailment plays a vital role in determining how long do PT appointments last.

2. Severity of Injury

The degree to which your body is affected by the injury shows how long your physical therapy appointment will be. If the injury is mild, the session might be shorter, but if the patient is in incredible pain due to a bigger problem of common auto injury medical issues, the session will be a little longer. 

3. Patient’s Commitment to the Treatment

It all depends on how much time the patient is willing to spend in therapy. A patient’s commitment to treatment determines how long does a physical therapy appointment take. Therapists can prolong the session for a quick recovery if the patient has strong willpower. However, an unwilling patient may not be comfortable in a session for long. 

First Physical Therapy Appointment

You may wonder how long is the first physical therapy appointment because you are anxious about not having previous experience. Let us help you prepare for your first and initial appointment. Physical therapy appointment length is the most discussed topic in first-time patients. 

So, how long is first physical therapy appointment? Well, it is the longest one out of all appointments. So, here is what to expect at first physical therapy appointment: 

• Patient’s History: The detailed discussion of past and present injuries, related health issues, and any surgeries will take 15 to 20 minutes. 

• Physical Assessment: The physical assessment to check the severity of the patient’s injury, mobility, and movement will take 20 to 25 minutes. It is to assess would pre workout stretches and mild treatment would solve your issue or if you are going for prolonged therapy. 

• Discussion and Goal Setting: The therapist will map out the recovery process and inform the patient about how many sessions may be required for complete recovery and what kind of treatment they are proceeding with. This part of the PT appointment takes 20 to 25 minutes. 

This is all what to expect at your first physical therapy session. The typical first appointment will take 60 to 90 minutes. It may get longer because the initial discussion will pave the way for the rest of the follow-up sessions, typically 45 to 60 minutes.

How Long is Physical Therapy Session For Different Conditions? 

How long is a physical therapy going to be depends on where you have suffered the injury. Below, we have answered the general queries about how many sessions different injuries take to recover. 

1. Knee

So, how long is a physical therapy appointment for the knee? Well, it might take 30 to 60 minutes of therapy sessions with a frequency of two to three times a week to heal the knee injuries. 

2. Ankle 

The ankle is the bane of your entire movement on your legs. So, how long is a PT appointment for the ankle? Usually, it takes 40 to 60 minutes per session for stretches and exercises for chronic foot and ankle pain recovery.  

3. Knee Replacement

How long is a physical therapy session for knee replacement? Since it’s a severe condition, it might take frequent 60-minute appointments for a session for two to four months. 

4. Lower Back Pain

How long does physical therapy take for lower back pain? A maximum of 40 minutes of session is needed to relieve the pain and recover movement.

5. Shoulder Pain

How long does physical therapy appointment take for shoulder pain? You can expect 30 to 40 minutes of sessions to relax the shoulder muscles and ease the pain.

So, That’s How Long Are PT Appointments!

Now you have an idea of how long are PT appointments. So, don’t fret too much and worry yourself with overthinking. Quit hesitating and book an appointment physical therapist for hire at Lake County and start your recovery journey today.

Written By

DR. Zubin

PT, DPT, FAAOMPT

Zubin has been a physical therapist for 31 years and is a founding member of this company. He specializes in Orthopedic Rehab and Chronic Pain management with a focus on Manual Therapy.