If you're dealing with a new injury like Lucky’s Dad (nod to parents and Bluey fans), it's crucial to address it promptly rather than waiting. In many ways, this is common sense: the longer an issue persists, the more challenging it becomes to resolve. However, you might be surprised by how much the "wait and see" approach can impact your ability to resume daily activities, hobbies, or sports.
In a 2017 study by Bayer et al., titled "Early versus Delayed Rehabilitation after Acute Muscle Injury," amateur athletes with acute traumatic muscle strains in their thigh or leg were examined. These were everyday individuals who were active and experienced “pulled muscles” in their quadriceps, hamstrings, groin, or calf. The patients were divided into two groups: one group started physical therapy early, 48 hours after the injury, while the other group had delayed care that began a week later, at 9 days post-injury.
So, what was the consequence of waiting that week before starting physical therapy? The delayed care group took 50% longer to recover. Yes, you read that right—50% longer. The group that received early therapy returned to their activities at around the 2-month mark, whereas the delayed care group took approximately 3 months to get back in the game. That's a whole month of missed opportunities! For many sports, that can mean sitting out a significant portion of the season—essentially, waiting until next year. And mind you, this is just the impact of delaying therapy for a week. Imagine if you had to wait another 1-2 weeks to see a doctor and get a referral to a physical therapist… and then another 1-2 weeks to actually start treatment!
The key takeaway here is that it's far better to initiate physical therapy right away to expedite your return to work or play. Don't adopt a "wait and see" mindset, don't settle for being scheduled two weeks from now, and certainly don't settle for being placed on a call list. Seek treatment as soon as possible.
At Petoskey Physical Therapy you do not need a doctor’s referral to start care and we strive to accommodate new patients within 48 hours, if not sooner. So, if you're dealing with a new injury, click on the the links below to connect with an expert and learn more about how we can help you get back to work or play as soon as possible.