When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Pain?
You keep telling yourself it will get better.
Maybe it's your knee after a run. Your back after sitting at work. Your shoulder when you reach overhead. You rest for a few days, feel a little better, and get back to normal, only for the pain to return.
At some point, the question changes from “Will this go away?” to “Should I have this evaluated?”
That's where physical therapy may be worth considering.
You don't have to wait until pain becomes severe, and you don't need to figure out exactly what's wrong before talking with a physical therapist. An evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether physical therapy is an appropriate next step.
For patients in Carmel, IN, One 2 One Physical Therapy provides one-on-one care with Dr. Divya Narayanan.
Here's how to know when it may be time to get an evaluation.
How Do You Know When Pain Needs More Than Rest?
Not every ache needs treatment. If you're sore after trying a new workout, spending a long day in the yard, or doing something your body isn't used to, some rest and recovery may be all you need.
But pain deserves more attention when it:
keeps coming back
isn't improving as expected
changes how you walk or move
affects your sleep
makes exercise or work difficult
limits everyday activities
causes you to avoid things you normally enjoy
You don't have to wait until you're unable to do something before having it evaluated.
A physical therapist can look at your symptoms and how you're moving to determine whether there is something that should be addressed.
What If the Pain Keeps Coming Back?
This is a common reason people decide to seek help.
You feel better for a while. You return to your normal activities. Then the same pain shows up again.
Maybe your knee starts hurting every time you increase your running. Your shoulder bothers you whenever you reach overhead. Or your back feels fine until you spend several hours working at a desk.
Recurring pain doesn't automatically mean something serious is wrong.
But if the same problem keeps getting in the way, it may be worth understanding why it keeps happening instead of repeatedly waiting for it to settle down.
That starts with an evaluation.
Do I Need to Know What's Wrong Before Seeing a Physical Therapist?
No. You don't need to diagnose yourself before making an appointment.
You can simply explain what you're experiencing:
“My shoulder hurts when I reach overhead.”
or
“My knee starts hurting when I run.”
The physical therapist can then evaluate your symptoms, movement, strength, mobility, and other relevant findings.
You may leave the evaluation with a better understanding of what could be contributing to the problem and whether physical therapy is appropriate.
Should You See a Doctor or Physical Therapist First?
It depends on the problem. For many musculoskeletal concerns, seeing a physical therapist can be an appropriate first step.
Indiana also allows direct access to physical therapy, meaning a patient can generally see a licensed physical therapist without first obtaining a physician referral. Indiana's direct-access provision allows evaluation and treatment for up to 42 calendar days, subject to applicable requirements and exceptions. Insurance plans may also have their own requirements.
Direct access doesn't mean a physical therapist replaces your physician.
If your symptoms indicate that you need medical evaluation outside the scope of physical therapy, the appropriate next step may be another healthcare professional.
The important thing is getting the right evaluation for the problem you're experiencing.
What Happens During a Physical Therapy Evaluation?
Your first visit should start with understanding what's going on with you.
Your physical therapist may ask about:
when your symptoms started
what makes them better or worse
activities that are difficult
previous injuries or treatment
what you want to get back to doing
The therapist may also look at movement, strength, mobility, balance, and other findings that relate to your symptoms.
From there, you can discuss what was found and whether physical therapy makes sense for you.
At One 2 One Physical Therapy, care is provided one-on-one, allowing the treatment approach to be based on the individual patient rather than a generic program.
What If You've Already Tried Rest, Stretching, or Exercise?
You're not the only one. A lot of people try to handle pain themselves first.
- They rest.
- They stretch.
- They change their workout.
- They search for exercises online.
Sometimes that works.
But if the same problem continues to return, it's reasonable to stop guessing and have it evaluated.
The answer isn't always “do more exercises.”
The right approach depends on what's contributing to your particular problem and what you need to get back to doing.
Can You See a Physical Therapist Without Having a Major Injury?
Yes. Physical therapy isn't only for people recovering from surgery or a major injury.
People also seek physical therapy for persistent pain, stiffness, movement difficulties, sports-related problems, and problems that interfere with everyday activities.
You don't have to be an athlete.
You don't have to be recovering from surgery.
And you don't have to wait until the problem becomes severe.
Sometimes the goal is simply:
“I want to do the things I normally do without constantly thinking about my pain.”
That's a valid reason to have the problem evaluated.
When Is It Time to Get Evaluated?
There isn't one number of days that applies to everyone. Instead, look at what the problem is doing to your everyday life.
If pain keeps returning, isn't improving, changes how you move, or is keeping you from working, exercising, sleeping, or doing activities you enjoy, an evaluation may be worth considering.
You also don't need to know exactly what's wrong before you make the appointment.
An evaluation is a chance to understand the problem before deciding what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a physical therapist for pain?
Consider an evaluation when pain persists, keeps returning, limits your movement, or interferes with normal activities. The appropriate timing depends on the individual and the symptoms.
Do I need a doctor's referral for physical therapy in Indiana?
Indiana allows direct access to physical therapy, so a physician referral is generally not required to begin care. Indiana's law allows direct-access evaluation and treatment for up to 42 calendar days, subject to applicable requirements and exceptions. Insurance coverage may have separate requirements.
Can I see a physical therapist if I don't know what's causing my pain?
Yes. You don't need to diagnose yourself before an evaluation. A physical therapist can assess your symptoms and movement and determine whether physical therapy is appropriate.
What happens at the first physical therapy appointment?
The therapist will typically discuss your symptoms and history, assess relevant physical findings, and explain the findings and possible treatment options based on your individual situation.
Should I keep exercising if something hurts?
It depends on the activity and what's causing the pain. If pain is persistent or keeps returning, an appropriate healthcare professional can help determine what should be changed.
You Don't Have to Figure It Out on Your Own
Pain doesn't always mean you need treatment. But when it keeps coming back or starts changing what you can do, it's worth taking a closer look.
A physical therapy evaluation can help you understand what's happening and whether physical therapy is the right next step.
