Maybe you've been injured in an accident or while playing your favorite sport, and your doctor has recommended physical therapy to help you heal. A common question for many patients is, how long will the physical therapy process take? 

It's a relatively simple question; however, the answer is not quite as simple. Every person is different, and there are often many factors to consider when determining your prognosis and the length of the physical therapy process.

So... How Long Does it Take? 

The fact is, there is no one correct answer to this question. Every person is different, and so is their rate of healing. For example, two patients may have had knee surgery on the same day. The first might take three days to walk one hundred feet after surgery, while the second who had surgery on the same day might need a week to reach the same one hundred feet. This is a perfect example. Each of us has unique variations in our perception of pain, motivation, and healing rate.

A better way to approach this question is rather than setting an end date to the process, set various goals you'd like to achieve during your rehabilitation process. Focus on results, not the time it takes to reach them. A good physical therapist will work with you to set therapy goals and keep you on track to achieve them.

One important tip for reducing the amount of time you'll spend in therapy is to create a home exercise program. Although a physical therapist will work with you during your scheduled sessions, it's incredibly important to take an active role in your recovery and day-to-day health.

One of the biggest factors for how quickly you recover is a daily home exercise program. Your physical therapist will work with you to develop a home exercise program that will keep your body tuned up post-therapy. Remember, ultimately, you are responsible for your good health!