Did you know that pain and emotion share real estate in the brain? A mountain of research is now providing answers to the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of chronic and persistent pain. However, many clinicians are struggling to move beyond their old ways of thinking (the ‘fix-it’ approach). It is time to challenge our traditional perspectives on pain and disability. The best physical therapy intervention involves a blend of an up-to-date understanding of pain science, an extensive knowledge of anatomy and movement, and an approach that is rooted in patience, compassion, and empathy.