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Patient Questions  /  How soon to start after an injury

Starting Physical Therapy

How Soon Should I Start Physical Therapy After an Injury?

For many common injuries, like sprains, strains and back pain, starting within the first days to weeks often helps. You don't need to wait until the pain is gone. After a broken bone or surgery, follow your doctor's timing.

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Why earlier is often better

Long periods of rest can lead to stiffness, weaker muscles and more fear of moving. Gentle, guided movement helps many injured tissues heal and keeps you from losing ground. For new low back pain, for example, research suggests that people who start physical therapy early tend to need fewer other treatments later.

In the first day or two after a sprain or strain, it's reasonable to protect the area, ice and elevate it, and avoid what makes it much worse. After that, gradually returning to movement is usually the goal.

Starting early doesn't mean pushing through pain. Your therapist sets the right amount of activity for the stage of healing you're in.

When timing is different

  • Broken bones: your doctor decides when the bone can be moved and loaded. Therapy often starts once a cast or brace comes off, or sooner if your doctor allows.
  • Surgery: your surgeon sets the timing, which is often within days to a couple of weeks.
  • A serious injury should be checked by a doctor first (see the warning signs below).
  • Older injuries: it's never too late. Pain that has lasted months can still improve with therapy.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor first, or get emergency care, if you have:

  • You can't put weight on the leg or use the arm, or the area looks deformed
  • Numbness, or a hand or foot that is cold, pale or blue
  • A head injury with confusion, vomiting or worsening headache: get emergency care
  • Rapid, severe swelling right after the injury
  • Back pain with numbness in the groin or loss of bladder or bowel control: get emergency care

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist checks the injury, tells you if you need to see a doctor first, and guides you through safe movement and strengthening so you heal well and get back to your activities.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Muscle strains →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026