“Should I Just Wait It Out?” — When It’s Time to See a Physical Therapist

We’ve all done it—felt a twinge in the back, a weird knee pop, or some soreness that just won’t go away. Maybe you thought, “It’s not that bad,” or “I’ll give it a few more days.” And sometimes, sure, things resolve on their own.

But other times? Waiting only makes it worse.

As a Fellowship-trained physical therapist (and the only one in Tipton County, TN), I’ve seen firsthand how people delay care and end up dealing with bigger issues, longer recoveries, and more frustration. So let’s break down the signs that it’s time to stop waiting and get help.

🚩 1. The Pain Has Lasted More Than a Week or Two

If your pain has stuck around for more than 7–14 days and isn’t improving—or it goes away only to keep coming back—that’s not “normal soreness.” That’s your body telling you something’s not right. The sooner we assess the cause, the sooner we can fix it.

🚩 2. It’s Starting to Interfere With Your Life

When pain or stiffness is:

• Waking you up at night

• Making work, walking, or driving harder

• Forcing you to change your routine or stop doing what you love…it’s time to stop pushing through and start treating the problem at its source.

  
  

🚩 3. You’ve Tried Rest, Ice, or YouTube Stretches—With No Real Results

Rest isn’t always the answer (and in some cases, it can make you worse). DIY stretches and exercises can help temporarily, but if you’re not addressing the cause, you’re only chasing symptoms. A proper evaluation can tell you what’s actually going on.

🚩 4. You’re Compensating Without Realizing It

If your knee hurts so now you’re limping… or your shoulder hurts so you stopped reaching overhead… you may be setting yourself up for even more issues down the road. Physical therapy can help restore normal movement before those compensations turn into new problems.

🚩 5. You’ve Been Told to “Just Live With It”

If you’ve been brushed off or told your issue is “just arthritis” or “just getting older”—please know that doesn’t mean you have to live in pain. There’s a lot we can do to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.

🧠 Why Waiting Can Backfire

Pain changes how your body moves. And when you move differently to avoid pain, you can end up with muscle imbalances, joint stiffness, or overuse injuries elsewhere. What could have been a simple fix often becomes a long-term issue. That’s why early intervention matters.

👋 You Don’t Need a Referral to See Me (Normally)

In Tennessee, you don’t need a referral (for the most part there are a few exceptions) to come directly to physical therapy. If something’s bothering you, even if it seems small, I can assess it and help you understand what’s going on—and what to do about it.

I’ve helped people with everything from post-surgical rehab to persistent headaches to weird aches that no one else could figure out. And because I’ve completed advanced fellowship training, I bring a higher level of diagnostic skill and manual therapy to every case.

💬 Not Sure If You Need PT? Ask Me.

If you’re on the fence, reach out. I’m happy to talk you through whether PT is appropriate—or point you in the right direction if it’s not. The most important thing is that you don’t ignore your body.