5 Signs You Picked the Wrong Physical Therapist (Especially If They Tell You to Quit CrossFit)
By: Ant Lucic

Let’s be clear: a physical therapist’s job is to help you return to doing what you love, not to pull the plug on it. If you’re passionate about CrossFit, Olympic lifting, gymnastics, or functional fitness training in general, and your PT’s first recommendation is to stop altogether? That’s not just a red flag, that’s a flashing neon sign telling you it’s time to find someone else.

Here are five unmistakable signs that you’re working with the wrong physical therapist:

🚨 1. They Tell You to Quit CrossFit / Functional Fitness

This one deserves its own category because it’s that serious.

A PT who tells you to stop doing CrossFit entirely, without first taking time to understand what you do, how you train, your skill level, and how your injury occurred, is doing you a disservice. It shows a clear bias, a lack of understanding of the methodology, and, frankly, lazy practice.

CrossFit is not inherently dangerous. Poor movement patterns, inappropriate loading, or lack of scaling are what lead to injury, and those same risks exist in any sport or fitness setting. A good PT will work with you, not against you, to modify movements, improve mechanics, and gradually return you to full training. Telling someone to quit is easy. Teaching someone how to continue training safely, that’s the mark of an excellent clinician.

If your PT is anti-CrossFit, you're not with the right PT.

🚩 2. They Don't Ask About Your Training Goals

Physical therapy isn’t just about healing injuries. It’s about restoring function, and optimizing performance. If your PT hasn’t asked what you want to return to doing (whether it’s snatching 185 lbs, getting your first muscle-up, or just making it through a WOD pain-free), they’re missing the whole point.

Your goals should shape your rehab plan. Period. A PT who treats you like a generic “shoulder pain case” instead of an individual athlete with specific performance objectives is practicing cookie-cutter therapy. That won't get you back to where you want to be.

🚩 3. They Rely Only on Passive Modalities

Massage guns, ice packs, heat, ultrasound, stim, these tools can be part of a good treatment plan, but they shouldn’t be the whole plan. If every visit is just passive treatment followed by a “see you next time,” you’re not being empowered to take control of your recovery.

Progress happens when you're actively engaged in the process. Functional movements, progressive loading, and movement education are the real game-changers. If your PT isn’t helping you build strength, mobility, and resilience, especially in the context of your sport, they’re not setting you up for success.

🚩 4. They Don’t Understand the Demands of Functional Fitness

CrossFit athletes are a different breed. You’re doing barbell work, bodyweight gymnastics, aerobic conditioning, and dynamic movement all in one session. A good physical therapist needs to understand those demands to treat you effectively.

If your PT thinks kipping pull-ups are “just flailing,” or doesn’t know the difference between a clean and a snatch, how can they help you get back to training? Look for someone who’s worked with athletes, who speaks the language of functional fitness, and who sees the value in what you’re doing, not someone who fears it.

🚩 5. They Don’t Encourage Autonomy

Your PT should be your guide — not your crutch.

If your therapist isn’t giving you tools to manage your pain, improve your movement, and train independently, they’re fostering dependency, not empowerment. You should walk away from each session with a better understanding of your body and what you can do, not just what you can’t.

A therapist who tells you what not to do (especially with no plan for what you can do) is giving up on you. You deserve better.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Someone Else’s Fear Hold You Back

You wouldn’t trust a mechanic who tells you to stop driving instead of fixing your car, would you? So why trust a physical therapist who tells you to stop training instead of helping you adapt, overcome, and rebuild?

CrossFit isn't the problem. Bad movement, lack of education, and fear-based practitioners are.

A great PT will celebrate your desire to move, sweat, and challenge yourself. They’ll find ways to keep you active while you heal. They’ll respect your sport and help you return to it stronger than before.

If you're seeing someone who doesn’t do that?

Ruck up, walk out, and find someone who will.

Want help finding a physical therapist who gets CrossFit? DM us or stop by our gym, we partner with clinicians who live and breathe performance, not just pain relief.

A Physical Therapist you can trust!

https://www.completesolpt.com/

Dr. Joe Turcic