When Should You See a Physical Therapist? 6 Signs You Need Help Now
- Nashville PT
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Let’s be honest—most of us wait too long to get help. Maybe you're hoping that nagging pain will go away on its own. Maybe you're unsure whether a physical therapist is the right person to help. Or maybe you think you need a referral from your doctor before making an appointment (spoiler alert: you don’t).
At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we want to make it easy to know when it’s time to see a PT—and why you shouldn’t wait. Whether you're an athlete, a desk worker, or somewhere in between, here are six signs your body is asking for help now.
1. Pain That Keeps Coming Back (or Never Left)
If you have pain that’s lasted more than a few days, keeps returning, or just won’t budge, it’s time to get it checked out.
This includes:
Back pain that flares up every time you work out or sit too long
Knee or hip pain that keeps you from running or squatting
Neck or shoulder pain that creeps in after a day at your desk
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t working well. A physical therapist doesn’t just chase symptoms—we look at how your body moves and functions to find the root cause of the problem.
✅ Quick Fact: Research shows that early physical therapy can reduce the need for opioids, imaging, and surgery in people with low back pain (Fritz et al., 2012).
2. You’re Not Moving Like You Used To
If you’ve noticed a loss in flexibility, strength, or overall mobility, physical therapy can help restore what you’ve lost—and even improve on it.
Maybe you can’t touch your toes like you used to. Or your squats feel stiff and limited. Or your shoulders just don’t move like they did before.
Physical therapists are movement specialists. We identify what’s restricted, what’s weak, and how to retrain your body to move more efficiently—without pain.
3. You’re Recovering from an Injury (Or Still Dealing with One from Months Ago)
If you’ve sprained an ankle, strained a muscle, or tweaked something that just hasn’t fully healed, don’t wait any longer. Physical therapy can speed up healing, reduce scar tissue, and make sure you don’t compensate in ways that lead to more problems down the road.
💡 Example: We often see runners who had a minor calf strain or plantar fasciitis months ago, kept training through it, and now have hip or low back pain from altered movement patterns.
4. You’ve Been Told You Need Surgery—But You’re Not Sure
Before you go under the knife, try conservative care first. Physical therapy is often just as effective as surgery for a wide range of conditions including:
Rotator cuff tears
Meniscus tears
Herniated discs
Chronic low back pain
We’ve had patients at Nashville PT who avoided surgery altogether after just a few weeks of targeted, hands-on therapy and personalized strength training.
📚 According to a 2020 review in The BMJ, exercise therapy can be as effective as surgery for certain orthopedic conditions (Thorlund et al., 2020).
5. You’re Training for a Goal and Want to Prevent Injury
You don’t have to be in pain to see a physical therapist. In fact, some of our favorite patients are people who feel pretty good but want to feel even better.
We work with:
Runners prepping for their first marathon
Lifters wanting to PR without pain
Active adults trying to stay fit and strong into their 40s, 50s, and beyond
With movement screens, gait analysis, mobility work, and strength optimization, we help you train smarter, not just harder.
6. You’re Tired of the "Rest and Ice" Approach That Isn’t Working
If your current plan is “just rest it” and “see how it goes,” you’re probably not addressing the root cause. At Nashville PT, we don’t believe in passive treatment.
We give you:
A clear plan of action
Hands-on care when needed
Strength and mobility exercises that target your exact problem
Tools to manage your issue long-term—not just temporarily feel better
And here's the best part? You don’t need a doctor’s referral to get started with us. Tennessee is a direct access state, which means you can schedule an appointment today without jumping through insurance hoops.
Why Choose Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance as your Physical Therapist?
We’re not your typical PT clinic. At Nashville PT, we work one-on-one with active people who want real answers, lasting results, and a treatment plan that fits their life. We’re cash-based so we’re not limited by insurance restrictions, and that means:
✅ More time with your therapist (60-minute sessions, always one-on-one)
✅ Fewer sessions needed because your care is efficient and customized
✅ You choose your goals—whether that’s pain relief, performance, or prevention
Your Next Step
You don’t have to keep guessing. If something hurts, if you’re moving differently, or if you’re just not feeling like yourself, physical therapy might be the missing link.
Let us help you stay active, stay strong, and stay in control of your body.
👉 Schedule your appointment today with Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance and take the first step toward moving and feeling better.
References
Fritz, J. M., Childs, J. D., Wainner, R. S., & Flynn, T. W. (2012). Primary care referral of patients with low back pain to physical therapy: Impact on future health care utilization and costs. Spine, 37(25), 2114–2121. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22398703/
Thorlund, J. B., Juhl, C. B., Roos, E. M., & Lohmander, L. S. (2020). Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee: A systematic review and meta-analysis of benefits and harms. The BMJ, 370, m3179. https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3179