Why Symptom Relief Isn’t Enough

TJ Martino
Jul 8
2 min read

If you’ve been to physical therapy before, you’ve probably seen it:

You walk in, do a few exercises from a handout, maybe get some heat or stim slapped on, and spend more time by yourself than with your therapist. You get a few stretches, a list of things not to do, and a recommendation to “rest and see how it feels.”

And then… you’re sent on your way.

Most of the time, you leave wondering, “Was that it?”

The truth is that most of what passes as “treatment” in traditional physical therapy clinics is the kind of stuff you could Google. You could find it on YouTube. You’ve probably already tried it before coming in.

So what’s the point?

The problem with chasing symptoms

Most PT clinics are built around managing symptoms, not solving problems.

They use tools that feel good in the short term—ice, heat, massage, stretching, cupping, stim. These things can absolutely have a place. But when they’re used without context, or without a plan, they’re just a temporary fix.

At best, they help you feel a little better for a few hours.

At worst, they delay your actual progress by avoiding the root cause.

If your treatment plan never evolves beyond “take it easy and try these basic exercises,” it’s no wonder the pain keeps coming back.

You don’t need more rest.

You need a real plan.

Pain isn’t random. And it doesn’t stick around for no reason.

When we only treat the pain, we ignore the bigger picture:

How are you moving?
What’s compensating?
What’s breaking down under load, stress, or repetition?
How are your daily habits, your training, your recovery?

At EVO, we take the time to figure that out.

We look at how your body is working as a whole. We don’t just isolate the sore spot—we assess movement patterns, dig into the why, and design a strategy that gets you stronger, more confident, and back to doing what you care about.

Because here’s the truth:

Most people don’t need another round of clamshells.

They need someone who can connect the dots.

This is the part most places miss

We’re not here to check a box.

We’re not here to waste your time.

If you can do something on your own at home, we’ll tell you. But the reason people come to us (and stay with us) is because we don’t just hand them generic plans and hope for the best.

We create the space to really listen, assess, and coach. We build treatment plans that adapt as you get better. And we stay with you until you’re not just pain-free—but moving, training, and performing at the level you want.

That’s the difference.