If you’ve been in a car accident, your doctor might refer you to a physical therapist for treatment. Physical therapy can alleviate your pain and help you recover from your injuries sooner. The question is, though, how long should you go to physical therapy? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, it would be best if you considered different factors. Let’s go over the factors that determine the length of time you will need physical therapy after an auto accident. The Type of Injury The type of injury you’ve sustained will help determine the length of time you’ll be in physical therapy. Whiplash is a common injury suffered during accidents, and it could take a full three months to recover. However, some people recover in less time, so if you make fast progress, you won’t need to undergo physical therapy for a full three months. Broken bones can also be common after motor vehicle accidents. While it generally takes a fracture eight weeks to heal, you could spend more or less time in physical therapy, depending on your situation. You might have a soft tissue injury after your accident. If that’s the case, you can expect to spend around six to eight weeks in physical therapy. Again, though, each person is different, so your course of treatment could be shorter or longer. Because the length of therapy depends on the type and severity of the injury, you need to undergo an evaluation. Then, your physical therapist can explain how long your treatment will last. Previous Injuries You’ve Suffered You probably haven’t gone injury-free for your entire life. If you’ve suffered other injuries, they could play a role in how long you need to go to physical therapy. You could have scar tissue that slows down healing. Also, your previous injury might not be fully healed. Your physical therapist will need to address the scar tissue and any lingering injuries as part of the treatment plan. This can extend the length of treatment. Treatment Goals Your treatment goals will also factor in how long you spend in physical therapy. During your first session, you will set goals with the therapist. These goals might include restoring your range of motion to a specific degree or increasing your strength a certain amount. If you are far from your goals, you can expect to spend longer in physical therapy, than you would if you were about to reach them. Don’t let that scare you off, though. Even if your goals seem lofty, your therapist can help you improve until you reach them. Find Out How Long Therapy Will Take If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, schedule an appointment with an experienced physical therapy provider. After your evaluation, your physical therapist will discuss your treatment plan and let you know how long you can expect it to last. Then, you can start physical therapy and work toward healing. As you progress, you will get better and better, and before long, you won’t need physical therapy anymore. Call (973) 485-2332 today to schedule your appointment with an experienced and trusted physical therapist in Newark, NJ. We accept most insurance plans, including NJ PIP, for auto accident injuries. We also offer chiropractic care in our Newark location. Same-Day appointments may be available, call us today!
