One conversation we have semi-frequently with patients is regarding when to stop physical therapy. Whether you’ve had a change in insurance coverage, your benefits have run out, you’re feeling better, or you simply don’t feel physical therapy is working for you, there are some considerations we always give patients who are considering quitting physical therapy:
Deciding to quit physical therapy depends on various factors. Stopping too early may delay or prevent optimal recovery, so it’s important to assess whether your goals are still aligned with your needs. If you feel like you’re not making progress, it’s worth discussing your concerns with your therapist.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the good (and bad!) reasons to quit physical therapy, and provide you with some things to discuss with your therapist to set yourself up for success in the future.
Reasons to stop physical therapy
We’ll start by saying: we certainly don’t believe that physical therapy is the be-all-end-all of physical health. Sometimes, there are good reasons to stop and try something else! Below, we’ll discuss some of the common reasons the topic of quitting physical therapy comes up, and provide some recommended courses of action:
1. You’re feeling better, or you’ve reached your goals
Ideally, this would be the reason that you’re considering whether to continue or stop physical therapy. As we’ve discussed many times before, patients often feel much better after the first few weeks of physical therapy sessions, and within a few months, they are often significantly improved on their target metrics.
This positive result can leave some patients in a situation where they aren’t sure if they’ve hit a point of diminishing returns.
The best course of action at this point is to have a simple conversation with your physical therapist. Your PT might leave the decision in your hands, or they may call your attention to a secondary goal that you haven’t considered. Regardless of the feedback you receive, your PT will be your greatest resource for making the decision of whether to stop or continue.
2. Changes in insurance
Whether your benefits are running out, your insurance plan has changed, or you’re planning to seek some out-of-network physical therapy solutions, considerations related to insurance are common reasons for patients to stop physical therapy before they feel ready.
The obvious problem here is that it doesn’t always mean you’re stopping because your PT sessions aren’t working. Quite the opposite, physical therapy may be working very well in your case!
Regardless, ask your physical therapist to have their admin team look into your case so that you know exactly what benefits you have remaining and what your options are. This is always the place to start, so you’re not in the dark.
If you’re still needing to move on from physical therapy for one of these reasons, take a look at our guides on DIY physical therapy and physical therapy without insurance. Those guides are full of suggestions for folks for whom physical therapy is a good idea, but insurance is a limiting factor for whatever reason.
3. Physical therapy isn’t working for you
There are many reasons that patients sometimes feel that their physical therapy treatment isn’t helping, and we won’t go into all of them here (for a deeper dive, see our full article on what to do if physical therapy isn’t working).
That said, there are some rare cases where physical therapy simply isn’t producing the desired result. This can be for a variety of reasons: maybe there’s an underlying issue within the joints that requires surgery, or perhaps your pain is so great that you’re physically struggling to complete your home exercise program in a manner that would make it effective.
Regardless, a conversation with your physical therapist, and perhaps even your primary healthcare provider, is in order. Tell them what you’re experiencing so that adjustments can be made.
We’ve had cases over the years where patients stopped physical therapy to get a surgery or MRI before returning to physical therapy with much better results. We’ve also had cases over the years where alternatives, like injections, made the difference.
Remember that your physical therapist is an advocate for your health. If something isn’t working for you, let them know so they can advocate effectively!
Is it harmful to stop physical therapy?
Stopping physical therapy abruptly can be harmful, as it may lead to incomplete healing, a regression of progress, or an increased risk of re-injury.
Remember that physical therapy is a process – you’ve got to engage in the entire plan for it to work. This often includes two or three weekly physical therapy appointments for two to three months, along with a home exercise program and regular check-ins with your primary care provider.
Discontinuing therapy too soon may prevent you from building the strength, mobility, or functionality needed to fully recover. This applies most to folks who are feeling better and considering stopping before they’re fully recovered.
Always consult your therapist before making changes to your physical therapy plan; they can guide you on the safest path forward.
Can I quit physical therapy?
You can choose to quit physical therapy at any time, as participation is voluntary and it’s ultimately your decision. However, before stopping, it’s best to discuss your reasons with your therapist. They can help address any concerns, modify your plan of care, or provide guidance on whether it’s safe to discontinue based on your progress and goals.
Things to consider before quitting physical therapy
Before stopping physical therapy, consider your current progress and whether you’ve met your recovery goals.
Below is a quick checklist of things to try before deciding it’s time to stop physical therapy services:
- Evaluate your progress: have you met your goals?
- Assess your pain and symptoms: are you still experiencing pain or discomfort?
- Communicate with your therapist: Have you shared your concerns and/or rationale with your therapist?
- Understand potential risks: Are you aware of the particulars of what stopping too soon may imply for your situation? (note that this will be different for everyone!)
- Consider alternatives: Is there a particular approach you’re planning to switch to?
Of course, our goal is that every patient would leave happy, recovered, confident, and with a specific discharge plan to stay healthy over the long term. If there’s another solution out there that you believe will work better, we’re happy to communicate with your doctor and set you up for the smoothest hand-off possible.
