Slight Edge Physical Therapy LLC

Do You Actually Need Physical Therapy—or Will This Injury Go Away on Its Own?

Get Expert Guidance from Dr. McBride

This is one of the most common questions active adults and athletes ask:

“If I just rest, will this go away?”

Sometimes the answer is yes.
Often, it’s no—or it “goes away” just long enough to come back again.

This guide will help you decide which situation you’re in and what to do next.

First: Not All Pain Is an Injury

Before deciding if you need physical therapy, you need to understand what you’re dealing with.

A lot of people assume:

  • Pain = injury
  • No pain = healthy

That’s not always true.

Normal (and expected):

  • Muscle soreness after training
  • Temporary stiffness that improves as you warm up
  • Mild discomfort that resolves within a few days

More concerning:

  • Pain that keeps showing up with the same movement
  • Pain that’s getting worse over time
  • Pain that changes how you train or move

If it’s the second category, you’re likely dealing with more than just normal soreness.

When Injuries Do Go Away on Their Own

There are situations where rest and time work.

This is typically when:

  • The issue is minor irritation
  • You caught it early
  • You naturally reduced the aggravating activity
  • Your body already has the capacity to handle the load

In these cases:

  • Pain fades
  • Function returns
  • You resume training without issues

No formal rehab needed.

The Problem: “Going Away” Isn’t the Same as Being Fixed

This is where most athletes get stuck.

Pain decreases → you go back to normal → pain returns.

Why?

Because:

  • The underlying issue wasn’t addressed
  • Load tolerance didn’t improve
  • Movement patterns didn’t change
  • Training wasn’t adjusted

So while symptoms improved, nothing actually got better long term.

When You Probably Do Need Physical Therapy

You don’t need PT for every ache—but certain patterns are strong indicators.

1. It Keeps Coming Back

Same spot. Same movement. Same problem.

This usually means:

  • You’re repeatedly exceeding your capacity
  • Nothing in your training is actually changing

2. You’ve Already Tried Rest (and It Didn’t Work)

If you’ve:

  • Taken time off
  • Modified workouts
  • “Let it heal”

…and it still comes back → rest isn’t the solution.

3. You’re Avoiding Movements You Used to Do

Examples:

  • Skipping squats because of knee pain
  • Avoiding deadlifts due to back tightness
  • Not pressing overhead because of shoulder pain

Avoidance works short term—but reduces capacity long term.

4. Pain Is Affecting Your Performance

Even if you can “push through,” ask:

  • Are you holding back?
  • Is your training inconsistent?
  • Are you modifying everything?

If yes, something needs to change.

5. You’re Guessing What to Do

Trying:

  • Random mobility work
  • YouTube exercises
  • Advice from friends or coaches

Sometimes that works.

Often, it delays real progress.

When You Probably Don’t Need Physical Therapy

Being honest here matters.

You likely don’t need PT if:

  • Pain is mild and improving quickly
  • It doesn’t change how you train
  • It fully resolves within a few days
  • It doesn’t return when you resume normal activity

In these cases:

  • Keep training
  • Monitor symptoms
  • No need to overcomplicate it

The Middle Ground (Where Most People Actually Are)

Most athletes fall here:

  • Pain isn’t severe
  • It’s not going away completely
  • It keeps coming back
  • Training is affected—but not stopped

This is where people hesitate:

“It’s not bad enough for PT… but it’s not going away.”

This is also where early intervention makes the biggest difference.

The Real Question Isn’t “Do I Need PT?”

A better question is:

“Am I okay with this continuing—or getting worse?”

Because your options are:

Option 1: Wait It Out

  • Might improve
  • Might linger
  • Might come back

Option 2: Modify Training Yourself

  • Can work if you know what you’re doing
  • Often becomes guesswork

Option 3: Get a Clear Plan

  • Identify the real issue
  • Adjust training appropriately
  • Build capacity so it doesn’t return

Common Concern: “Isn’t This Something I Should Be Able to Fix Myself?”

Sometimes, yes.

If you:

  • Understand programming
  • Know how to progress/regress movements
  • Can accurately assess your own limitations

You may not need help.

But most people:

  • Don’t have a clear framework
  • Don’t know what to change
  • End up repeating the same cycle

That’s where guidance becomes valuable.

Where Performance-Based Physical Therapy Fits

This approach is designed for people who:

  • Want to keep training (not stop completely)
  • Want a structured plan
  • Have recurring or persistent issues
  • Care about long-term performance

It focuses on:

  • The movements that actually cause pain
  • Gradual progression (not avoidance)
  • Building capacity so the issue doesn’t return

Who This Is NOT a Good Fit For

This is not the best option if you:

  • Just want passive treatment (massage, quick relief)
  • Aren’t willing to follow a structured plan
  • Expect the problem to resolve without changing anything
  • Only want to minimize cost and use insurance

There are better options for those goals.

Bottom Line

Some injuries go away on their own.

But if your pain:

  • Keeps coming back
  • Affects how you train
  • Hasn’t improved with rest

…it usually won’t fix itself long term.

At that point, it’s not about whether you can wait it out.

It’s about whether you should.

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