How Long Does Physiotherapy Take? Setting Realistic Recovery Expectations

“How long will this take to heal?” It’s probably the first question on your mind when you’re dealing with pain and considering physiotherapy. Whether you’re struggling with lower back pain from long days at the desk, a sports injury that’s keeping you off the pitch, or persistent neck stiffness that just won’t shift, you want to know when you’ll feel normal again.

The honest answer? It depends. But that doesn’t mean we can’t give you a realistic picture of what to expect. Understanding typical recovery timelines helps you plan ahead, set achievable goals, and most importantly, stick with your treatment when progress feels slow.

The Short Answer: What Most People Can Expect

Most physiotherapy patients start noticing improvements within 2-4 weeks of beginning treatment. For straightforward issues like minor muscle strains or early-stage back pain, you might feel significantly better within 6-8 weeks. More complex conditions: think chronic pain that’s been building for months or sports injuries involving ligaments: often need 12-16 weeks or longer.

Here’s the thing though: “better” doesn’t always mean completely pain-free from day one. Recovery typically happens in stages, and understanding this helps manage expectations and prevents frustration.

Recovery Timelines for Common Conditions

Let’s break down what you can typically expect for the most common issues we see:

Back Pain

Lower back pain is our most frequent visitor, especially among people spending long hours at desks. For acute back pain (the kind that comes on suddenly), you’ll often feel relief within 2-6 weeks with proper treatment. The key is catching it early: those first few weeks of nagging discomfort are when physiotherapy is most effective.

If you’re dealing with chronic lower back pain that’s been hanging around for months, expect a longer journey. Most people see meaningful improvement within 8-12 weeks, but achieving lasting results often takes 3-6 months of consistent treatment and exercise.

Sciatica: that nerve pain shooting down your leg: can be trickier. Mild cases might settle within 4-6 weeks, while more persistent sciatic pain can take 12 weeks or longer to fully resolve.

Neck and Shoulder Issues

Neck pain and stiffness, particularly from poor posture or “tech neck,” typically respond well to treatment. Most people notice improved mobility and reduced pain within 4-8 weeks. If headaches are part of the picture, these often improve alongside neck mobility.

Shoulder pain problems vary widely depending on the cause. Simple muscle tension or minor rotator cuff irritation might settle in 6-8 weeks. More significant rotator cuff issues, frozen shoulder, or post-injury rehabilitation can take 12-20 weeks or longer.

Sports-Related Injuries

Active individuals often ask about sports injuries and return-to-sport timelines, and this varies enormously by injury type:

• Knee injuries: Minor ligament sprains might allow return to activity in 4-8 weeks, while more serious injuries like ACL tears (if surgery isn’t required) can take 12-52 weeks; even a partial tear requires at least 12 weeks of rehab due to the need for strength and control
• Muscle strains: Hamstring or calf strains typically need 6-10 weeks, depending on severity
• Shin splints: Usually 6-12 weeks, but preventing recurrence is key
• Ankle sprains: Most resolve within 4-8 weeks, though some take longer to regain full strength and stability

If you’re dealing with knee pain or shoulder pain, our specialised treatments can help establish realistic timelines for your specific situation.

What Affects Your Recovery Speed?

Several factors influence how quickly you’ll progress:

Your Starting Point

If you’re generally fit and active, you’ll likely recover faster than someone who’s been sedentary. Your body’s already accustomed to movement and has better circulation, muscle tone, and joint mobility to work with.

How Long You’ve Had the Problem

Fresh injuries often respond more quickly than chronic issues. If you’ve been dealing with pain for months or years, your body may have developed compensatory patterns that take time to unlearn.

Consistency with Treatment

This is huge. People who attend sessions regularly and do their prescribed exercises see faster, more lasting results than those who skip sessions or ignore homework. Think of it like learning a musical instrument: irregular practice slows progress significantly.

Your Goals

Getting back to basic daily activities pain-free is different from returning to competitive sport. If you want to get back to running marathons, expect a longer timeline than if you just want to sit at your desk comfortably.

Lifestyle Factors

Poor sleep, high stress, smoking, and inadequate nutrition all slow healing. Conversely, good sleep habits, stress management, and staying generally active (within limits) can speed recovery.

Age and Overall Health

While age isn’t everything, younger people often heal faster. However, we regularly see older patients achieve excellent results: it might just take a bit longer.

What Does “Getting Better” Actually Look Like?

Recovery isn’t usually a straight line from pain to perfect. Most people experience:

• Weeks 1-2: Initial assessment and treatment begins. You might feel some immediate relief, but don’t worry if things feel unchanged yet.
• Weeks 2-4: This is when most people start noticing improvements. Pain might be less intense, you may move more easily, or activities that were difficult become manageable.
• Weeks 4-8: Continued improvement in function. You’ll likely be doing more exercises and seeing clear progress in strength and mobility.
• Weeks 8+: Fine-tuning and building resilience. Focus shifts to preventing recurrence and optimising performance.

Some days will feel better than others: this is completely normal and doesn’t mean you’re going backwards.

Session Frequency: How Often Will You Need to Come In?

Most treatment plans start with 1-2 sessions per week. For acute injuries or post-surgical rehabilitation, you might need more frequent visits initially. As you improve, sessions typically space out to weekly, then fortnightly, then monthly check-ins.

The goal is always to make you independent as quickly as possible. A good physiotherapist will progressively give you more tools to manage your condition yourself.

When to Be Patient vs When to Be Concerned

Some lack of progress is normal, especially in the first few weeks. However, you should expect to see some positive change within 4-6 sessions. This might be:

• Less pain during specific movements
• Improved range of motion
• Better sleep
• Increased confidence with activities

If you see absolutely no improvement after 6-8 sessions, or if your pain is getting worse, discuss this with your physiotherapist. Treatment plans often need adjusting based on how your body responds.

The Bottom Line: Patience Pays Off

Recovery takes time, and rushing the process often leads to setbacks. Most people underestimate how long they’ve actually had their problem: that “sudden” back pain might have been building for months before it became noticeable.

The good news? With proper treatment and realistic expectations, the vast majority of musculoskeletal problems improve significantly. Focus on the small wins along the way, trust the process, and remember that building lasting strength and resilience is more valuable than quick fixes.