Medications like analgesics and anti-inflammatories can change both how a patient feels pain and how their tissues respond to treatment. Pain relief may allow movements that the tissue isn’t ready for, so you need to adjust how aggressively you load or progress exercises. At the same time, these drugs can mask inflammatory signs that guide your assessment, making it harder to tell whether healing is progressing or if something is worsening. Some meds have interactions or side effects (such as GI upset, dizziness, or anticoagulant effects) that influence safety and which modalities you choose. So, plan with the medication in mind: review the patient’s drug list, anticipate masking or healing effects, and tailor the treatment intensity and progression accordingly to stay safe and effective.