Why "Rehab Is Training in the Presence of Injury" Is the Key to Long-Term Recovery
Rest alone isn't enough. Learn why active rehab is the most effective way to recover from injury and how performance-based physical therapy keeps you moving forward.
Rehab Is Training in the Presence of Injury – Here’s What That Means
“Rehab is training in the presence of injury.”
— Phil Glasgow
At our physical therapy clinic, we believe this quote by Phil Glasgow represents what real recovery looks like. Rehab isn’t about waiting for pain to disappear, it’s about recovering through movement.
Too often, people are told to “just rest” after an injury, but rest isn’t the solution. Without progressive loading and movement, your body won’t get the input that it needs to heal strong and build resilience. That’s why we treat rehab like training.
Rest Isn’t the Answer—Active Rehab Is
In the early stages of an injury, a short period of rest may be necessary to reduce pain or inflammation. But beyond that, prolonged rest often leads to stiffness, weakness, and a longer recovery timeline.
The truth is your body heals through movement, not immobility.
Rehab should challenge the affected area of the body appropriately and progressively. That doesn’t mean ignoring pain. It means modifying your training and continuing to move in a way that supports healing, strengthens surrounding tissues, and restores confidence.
Active Physical Therapy Outperforms Passive Treatments
While passive modalities like ice, massage, or electrical stimulation can offer short-term relief, they aren’t enough on their own. If your rehab plan is mostly lying on a table while someone else does the work—you’re missing out on the real modality of recovery. This isn’t to say hands on manual therapy is not important, but it should not be the only intervention.
At our clinic, we prioritize:
Intentional movement and progressive loading
Function-based rehab tailored to your goals
Active strategies that rebuild strength, mobility, and resilience
Rehab isn’t about avoiding movement. It’s about finding the right kind of movement for where you are right now that will help you recover and push you toward your goals.
What Does Training in the Presence of Injury Actually Look Like?
It means we work with your body, not around it. That might include:
Modified strength training that keeps you progressing without flaring up pain
Isometrics and stabilization work to stimulate healing while protecting tissues
Training unaffected areas to maintain strength, coordination, and capacity
Gradual reintroduction of movements that match the demands of your activity or lifestyle
You’re still moving. You’re still participating. You’re still progressing. We’re just adjusting the dial until you’re ready to turn it up again.
Rehab Should Build You Back Stronger
The old-school model of “rest until it feels better” often leaves people weaker, hesitant, and more prone to re-injury. Our method of active, performance-based rehab is built to:
Improve movement quality, strength, and durability
Restore confidence and capability
Prepare your body to handle more than it could before the injury
Get you back to your activity or lifestyle better prepared than ever
This isn’t just about getting out of pain. It’s about attaining long term results.
Here’s What You’ll Get from Our Active Rehab Approach
At our clinic, you won’t be told to just rest or avoid activity completely. We’ll guide you with a rehab plan that feels more like smart, intentional training—because that’s what effective rehab is.
✅ One-on-one movement-based evaluations
✅ Individualized programs that adapt with your progress
✅ Strength and mobility training designed for real-life demands
✅ Ongoing education so you feel in control of your recovery
Ready to Stop Resting and Start Rebuilding?
If you’ve been told to just rest, stop doing what you love, or wait it out—it’s time for a better plan. You don’t need to pause your life to recover. You need the right strategy to keep moving forward.
Let us help you move through injury, the right way.
