That Pain You’ve Been Putting Off: When Is It Time to See a Physical Therapist?
We’ve all done it.
You notice a little back pain when you get out of bed. Your knee starts bothering you when you walk downstairs. Your shoulder hurts when you reach overhead. Maybe you’ve been dealing with stiffness, an old sports injury, or that nagging pain that seems to come and go.
You tell yourself, “I’ll give it a few days.”
Then a few days turn into a few weeks.
Before you know it, you’re changing the way you move, avoiding activities you enjoy, or simply learning to live with discomfort.
If you’ve been putting off physical therapy because you hope your pain will eventually go away, you’re not alone. But persistent pain, stiffness, weakness, or changes in how you move can be a good reason to have a physical therapist take a closer look.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Pain Stops You
One of the biggest misconceptions about physical therapy is that you need to be in severe pain before you seek help.
You don’t.
Physical therapists work with people experiencing everything from a recent injury to chronic pain, stiffness, balance problems, weakness, and difficulty returning to normal activities.
Sometimes the goal is simply to get back to doing the things you enjoy without constantly thinking about your pain.
That might mean:
- Walking without knee or hip pain
- Getting through your workday without back pain
- Sleeping more comfortably
- Reaching overhead without shoulder pain
- Getting back on the pickleball court
- Returning to running
- Getting back to the gym
- Recovering after surgery
- Feeling more confident on your feet
- Moving comfortably again
The sooner you understand what’s contributing to your symptoms, the sooner you can start working toward a solution.
How Do You Know When It’s Time for Physical Therapy?
There isn’t one specific amount of pain that means you “need” physical therapy. Instead, consider how your symptoms are affecting your everyday life.
It may be worth scheduling a physical therapy evaluation if:
Your pain has lasted longer than you expected
A minor ache that improves quickly may not be a major concern. But if pain continues for several weeks or keeps returning, it deserves some attention.
You’re changing how you move
Maybe you’re taking the stairs differently because of knee pain, avoiding certain movements because of your shoulder, or getting out of a chair differently because your back hurts.
Those changes can sometimes contribute to additional stiffness, weakness, or movement problems.
You have stopped doing activities you enjoy
If you’re skipping walks, workouts, golf, pickleball, running, hiking, or other activities because something hurts, that’s a sign it’s affecting more than just your body.
You feel weaker or less mobile
Pain isn’t the only reason people seek physical therapy. Loss of strength, flexibility, balance, or mobility can also make everyday activities more difficult.
The same problem keeps coming back
Maybe your back feels better for a while, only to flare up again. Or your shoulder hurts every time you return to your favorite activity.
Recurring symptoms may be a sign that it’s time to look beyond temporary relief and work on the underlying movement, strength, or mobility factors contributing to the problem.
Physical Therapy Isn’t Just About Treating Pain
Pain is often what gets people through the door, but physical therapy can involve much more than pain relief.
At Epic PT, our physical therapists look at how you’re moving, what may be contributing to your symptoms, and what you need to get back to the activities that matter to you.
Depending on your individual situation, treatment may include:
- Hands-on manual therapy
- Therapeutic exercise
- Strength and mobility training
- Balance and gait training
- Dry needling
- Joint mobilization
- Soft tissue techniques
- Movement and posture education
- Sports-specific rehabilitation
- Return-to-sport training
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Injury prevention and prehab
Your treatment plan should be based on you, not simply your diagnosis.
Two people can have the same diagnosis and need very different treatment approaches depending on their activity level, goals, lifestyle, and how they’re moving.
Common Problems We Treat at Epic PT
You don’t have to know exactly what’s wrong before making an appointment.
Our physical therapists help patients with a wide range of orthopedic, sports, neurological, and movement-related conditions, including:
- Back and neck pain
- Sciatica and other spine-related conditions
- Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pain
- Hip and knee pain
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Sports injuries
- Running-related injuries
- Pickleball and recreational sports injuries
- Work-related injuries
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Joint replacement recovery
- Balance and gait problems
- Dizziness and vertigo
- BPPV
- Concussion and post-concussion symptoms
- TMJ problems
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Neuropathy
- Strength and mobility limitations
If you’re not sure whether physical therapy is appropriate for your particular problem, that’s okay.
You can always start by asking questions.
“But What If I Need Imaging?”
It’s common to think you need an MRI, X-ray, or other imaging before seeing a physical therapist.
In many cases, you don’t.
A physical therapy evaluation includes an assessment of your movement, strength, mobility, symptoms, and functional limitations. Your physical therapist can use that information to determine whether your problem is appropriate for physical therapy or whether you should be referred to another healthcare provider for additional evaluation.
If imaging or another medical evaluation is appropriate, your physical therapist can help point you in the right direction.
You don’t have to figure everything out before your first appointment.
Don’t Let “I’ll Deal With It Later” Turn Into Your New Normal
Maybe you’ve been waiting for your back pain to settle down.
Maybe your knee has been bothering you for months.
Maybe your shoulder has gradually become harder to use.
Or maybe you’ve simply stopped doing certain things because they’re uncomfortable.
It’s easy to adjust your routine around pain without realizing how much it has changed your day-to-day life.
But you don’t necessarily have to accept pain or limited movement as something you just have to live with.
A physical therapy evaluation can be a starting point for understanding what’s going on and developing a plan to help you move better.
Thinking About Physical Therapy Before the End of the Year?
The final months of the year can also be a good time to take a look at your health insurance benefits.
If you’ve already met part of your deductible or have physical therapy benefits available, it may be worth checking what your plan covers before the year ends.
Insurance coverage varies, so we always recommend confirming your individual benefits with your insurance company.
At Epic PT, we accept many major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Colorado Access, and Workers’ Compensation, along with many other commercial plans.
Learn more about insurance and payment options at Epic PT.
Physical Therapy Near You in South Denver
If you’re searching for physical therapy near me, Epic PT has two convenient South Denver-area locations serving patients in Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Lone Tree, Littleton, Parker, and surrounding communities.
Our clinics are locally owned and operated, and our physical therapists provide one-on-one, patient-centered care in a friendly environment.
We offer:
- Same-week physical therapy appointments when available
- Free consultations
- Personalized treatment plans
- Hands-on manual therapy and skilled therapeutic exercise
- Orthopedic and sports physical therapy
- Vestibular and balance rehabilitation
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Direct communication with your physical therapist throughout your care
Epic PT – Greenwood Village
9250 E. Costilla Ave., Suite 201
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
Phone: 720-572-4873
Epic PT – Highlands Ranch
9088 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 106
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Phone: 720-458-0522
You Don’t Have to Wait Until It Gets Worse
That nagging pain you’ve been putting off may not be stopping you completely, but if it’s changing how you move, exercise, work, sleep, or enjoy your favorite activities, it may be time to pay attention to it.
You don’t need to wait until you can’t do something anymore.
Start with a conversation.
At Epic PT, we’re happy to listen, answer your questions, and help you determine whether physical therapy may be the right next step.
Ready to Stop Putting It Off?
Schedule a physical therapy evaluation or contact Epic PT for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About When to See a Physical Therapist
When should I see a physical therapist for pain?
Consider seeing a physical therapist if pain persists, keeps returning, limits your activities, affects your movement, or is accompanied by weakness, stiffness, balance problems, or reduced mobility.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for physical therapy in Colorado?
Colorado allows patients to access physical therapy directly in many situations, although insurance requirements can vary. Medicare and Medicaid patients may have referral requirements. It’s important to check your specific insurance benefits before beginning care.
Can physical therapy help chronic pain?
Physical therapy can help many people with chronic musculoskeletal pain by addressing factors such as strength, mobility, movement patterns, physical activity, and function. Treatment is individualized based on the person’s symptoms and goals.
Can I see a physical therapist before getting an MRI?
Often, yes. A physical therapist can perform an evaluation and determine whether your symptoms appear appropriate for physical therapy or whether further medical evaluation or imaging may be warranted.
What does a physical therapy evaluation include?
A physical therapy evaluation typically includes questions about your symptoms and goals along with an assessment of movement, strength, mobility, balance, and functional limitations. Your therapist then develops an individualized treatment plan based on the findings.
How soon should I start physical therapy after an injury?
The appropriate timing depends on the type and severity of the injury. In many cases, early physical therapy can help restore movement and strength and guide a safe return to normal activities. A physical therapist can help determine the appropriate starting point.
Does Epic PT offer physical therapy near Greenwood Village and Highlands Ranch?
Yes. Epic PT has outpatient physical therapy clinics in both Greenwood Village and Highlands Ranch, Colorado, serving patients throughout the South Denver area.
The bottom line: You don’t have to wait for pain to become severe before doing something about it. If something has been bothering you for weeks—or keeps coming back—consider getting it checked out.
Your future self may thank you for not putting it off.
