Frequently Asked Questions
How long does treatment take?
“How many sessions until I’m better?” It’s the question we hear most. Here’s an honest answer.
An honest answer: It varies widely between individuals and depends on your condition.
But there are rough guidelines:
- Acute problems (less than 1 month): 2-4 weeks
- Subacute (1-3 months): 4-8 weeks
- Chronic (more than 3 months): 8-12 weeks or longer
Factors That Affect Treatment Duration
When treatment takes longer
- Pain has been present for a long time (chronic)
- Multiple previous recurrences
- Severe muscle wasting or weakness
- Structural damage (disc, tear, etc.)
- Other conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease
- Smoking, obesity
- Continued occupational strain on the area
When treatment is shorter
- Treatment started early in the onset
- First occurrence (not a recurrence)
- Good baseline fitness and strength
- No structural damage
- Active participation in the home program
- Lifestyle changes are possible
- Conditions allow for rest
Typical Treatment Duration by Condition
Varies by individual, for reference only.
| Condition | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen shoulder | 4-6 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 12-24 weeks |
| Tennis/golfer’s elbow | 3-4 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 12 weeks+ |
| Carpal tunnel syndrome | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks | Surgery considered |
| Neck/lower back disc | 2-3 weeks | 4-6 weeks | 6 weeks+ / surgery |
| Myofascial pain syndrome | 4-6 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 16-24 weeks |
| Tension headache | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks |
Treatment timelines vary with the condition, symptom severity, function, and response to care. Any maintenance plan should be discussed after reassessment.
Duration by Circulation Therapy Stage
Downshift stage
Reduced pain, better sleep, daily activities possible
Activate stage
Restored muscle strength, normalized range of motion, exercise possible
Integrate stage
Full return to daily life, return to sports, recurrence prevention
How to Shorten Treatment Duration
- Start treatment early: come in as soon as the pain begins
- Follow the home program: the time outside the treatment room matters more
- Correct your lifestyle: posture, sleep, and stress management
- Stay consistent: don’t stop partway through
- Don’t overdo it: don’t ignore your pain signals
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can some cases be resolved in just 1-2 sessions?
Yes, mild and acute cases can sometimes be enough with 1-2 sessions. For example, a mild muscle spasm or the early stage of an acute sprain. However, most cases require at least 4-6 sessions.
Q. Can I exercise while receiving treatment?
It depends on your condition. Rest is needed early on, but once the downshift stage has passed, light exercise actually helps recovery. Your therapist will advise on the right timing and type of exercise.
Q. Can I receive treatment while working?
In most cases, yes. With Circulation HD you can return to daily activities right after the procedure, and Circulation PT doesn’t interfere with work either. For severe cases, however, temporary adjustments to your work may be needed.
Q. Can I get better and then worse again during treatment?
Yes, this is common. Recovery isn’t a straight line. You get better, then slightly worse, then better again, in a repeating cycle. As long as the overall trend is improving, this is a normal course.
Related Reading
Other Common Questions
Wondering how long treatment would take for your condition?
We’ll give you an estimated duration after a thorough assessment.
Book a ConsultationReferences
- Henschke N et al. Prognosis in patients with recent onset low back pain in Australian primary care: inception cohort study. BMJ. 2008;337:a171.
- Pengel LH et al. Acute low back pain: systematic review of its prognosis. BMJ. 2003;327(7410):323. PMID 12907487
- Croft PR et al. Outcome of low back pain in general practice: a prospective study. BMJ. 1998;316(7141):1356-1359. PMID 9563990
- Hayden JA et al. Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;3:CD000335. PMID 16034851