Information about how long an injury may take to heal can help you plan your recovery timeline. In this blog our osteopath, Tom, explains the difference between acute and chronic conditions and when you can expect to be moving functionally again.
Are You Dealing with an Acute or Chronic Condition?
Acute Conditions: These include injuries or issues that are recent, such as sprains, strains, or sudden back pain. Acute conditions often benefit from short-term, frequent treatments, such as 1-2 sessions per week for 2-4 weeks, depending on severity.
Chronic Conditions: These are long-standing issues like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, or chronic back pain. Managing these often requires a more tailored approach, typically involving biweekly to monthly treatments to alleviate symptoms and enhance function.
Quick Fact: Healing timeframes for acute injuries often range between 4-8 weeks, while chronic conditions may require months or even years for noticeable improvement. Consistency and regular monitoring are key.
General Guidelines for Treatment Frequency
Initial Phase (Acute Pain or New Patient):
Frequency: 1-2 sessions per week for 4-6 weeks.
Focus: Reduce pain, restore function, and prevent further injury.
Study Insight: Patients with acute low back pain demonstrate significant improvement within 4-6 sessions of osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) when spaced weekly (Licciardone et al., 2020).
Maintenance Phase (Chronic Pain or Prevention):
Frequency: 1 session every 2-4 weeks or as needed.
Focus: Maintain progress, manage flare-ups, and prevent recurrence.
Evidence-Based Tip: Chronic pain patients report improved quality of life with monthly treatments over six months (Franke et al., 2014).
The Healing Journey
Acute Conditions: Healing typically occurs within 6-12 weeks with a combination of manual therapy, exercise, and adequate rest.
Chronic Conditions: Expect gradual improvement with periodic evaluations every 3-6 months to reassess and adjust treatment plans.
References
1. Licciardone, J. C., et al. (2020). “Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulation in acute low back pain.”; Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
2. Franke, H., et al. (2014). “Long-term effects of osteopathic treatment for chronic low back ain.”; BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
3. Rubinstein, S. M., et al. (2019). “Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain.”; The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
4. Bronfort, G., et al. (2010). “Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with spinal manipulation and mobilization.”; Spine Journal.