A sore knee, stiff back, or cranky shoulder can make exercise feel like a bad idea. That’s understandable. Pain gets your attention, and sometimes the safest choice seems to be sitting still until it goes away. Physical therapists usually see it differently. They don’t want you to “push through” serious pain or ignore your body. But they also know that too much rest can make muscles weaker, joints stiffer, balance shakier, and pain more frustrating over time. The goal is to l