Fixing bad posture and alignment issues on a bicycle will not heal injuries that a rider may have developed while riding. Whether the cyclist is dealing with an injured knee, neck or back pain, or a tender foot, a bike fitting may stop the problem from getting worse. Often, physical therapy will be needed to heal the injury.
Pain vs. Injury – For me, I teach an important distinction between pain and injury. Pain is a temporary state. It can result from muscle fatigue or an early indicator of bad bio-mechanics on a bike. Injury means that you were in pain at some point, kept riding, or you crashed. Now you have created a longer lasting problem in your joints or muscles.
Bike fittings should be viewed as a starting point. You can find improved comfort on a bike or position yourself for greater power and aerodynamics. Often, joint pain associated with riding can be corrected with a good bike fitting, but if you are injured, the fitting is not enough. Some level of professional physical therapy will be needed to recover.