If you're an athlete, CrossFitter, runner, martial artist, or just someone who loves to move, you've probably faced the question: “Should I push through this pain?” It's a common dilemma, and as a physical therapist, I hear it almost every day.

The answer isn’t always black and white. Pain is complex, and not all pain means damage. In some cases, continuing to train is perfectly safe and even beneficial. In others, pushing through pain can prolong or worsen an injury.

In a world of quick fixes and instant gratification, it’s easy to feel frustrated when recovery doesn’t happen overnight. But when it comes to physical therapy, patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a crucial part of the process. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, healing a chronic injury, or working through everyday aches and pains, the road to recovery is rarely linear. There are good days and bad days, breakthroughs and setbacks. But the key to lasting results? Consistency and patience.

Physical therapy, often abbreviated as PT, is a branch of healthcare aimed at promoting, restoring, and maintaining physical function and mobility. It encompasses a wide range of treatments and interventions designed to address injuries, disabilities, chronic conditions, and movement impairments. Physical therapists, also known as PTs, are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in delivering personalized care to individuals of all ages.