How Long Does Physical Therapy Take for Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is a common problem plaguing millions of Americans. Most people will report having lower back pain at least once over their lifetime. Most cases of lower back pain resolve quickly over the short term. However, some cases can be severe, affecting the patient’s ability to work and function day to day.

In such severe cases, health practitioners may recommend physical therapy. It can help restore mobility and improve function in people dealing with acute or chronic pain.

How long does physical therapy take for lower back pain? Brandon Chiropractic Associates, the premier choice for reliable physical therapy in Brandon, FL, covers the details in this post.

The Duration of Physical Therapy Treatment for Lower Back Pain

The length of physical therapy treatment for lower back pain will vary on a case-by-case basis. If you’re wondering how long your treatment will take to create a timeline in your head, it’s generally not a good idea.

Physical therapists determine the treatment timeline based on the severity of the lower back pain and how you respond to treatment. But how long does physical therapy take for lower back pain on average?  

On average, most patients undergoing physical therapy for lower back pain stay in treatment for around six to eight weeks. If the treatment doesn’t lead to any improvements, the physical therapist may recommend other interventions.

Conversely, some patients get relief from their lower back pain after undergoing a few therapy sessions.

How Many Sessions of Physical Therapy Will You Need Per Week?

The number of sessions you need per week also depends on your specific treatment goals. Generally, the therapist will determine the number of sessions based on the severity of your symptoms, and they will increase or decrease the frequency based on your response.

Either way, you should never pick and choose when to go for treatment without discussing it with your therapist.

How Do Physical Therapists Deal With Lower Back Pain?

Physical therapists treat lower back pain in two ways.

Passive Physical Therapy

The focus of passive physical therapy is to release tight muscles, relieve pain, improve joint flexibility, and alleviate stiffness. Some passive physical therapy approaches for lower back pain include:

• Massage
• Spinal manipulations
• Joint movement
• Electrical therapy
• Heat and ice treatment

Active Physical Therapy

In active physical therapy, the therapist will recommend various exercises and activities that can help ease the lower back pain. In many cases, physical therapists recommend active physical therapy in line with passive physical therapy.

The success of the approach hinges on your willingness to participate in the recommended exercise program. Some commonly recommended types of active physical therapy for lower back pain include:

• Weight-training
• Core stability training
• Low-impact aerobic conditioning
• Stretching
• Pilates
• Strengthening exercises

Get Personalized Physical Therapy Treatment for Your Lower Back Pain

Brandon Chiropractic Associates has a team of highly experienced physical therapists who can work closely with you to create a personalized treatment and recovery plan for your condition.

For a more personalized answer to, “How long does physical therapy take for lower back pain?” call Brandon Chiropractic Associates in Brandon, FL.