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The modal verb ‘can’ is often used to express ability and possibility.
Ability – having the knowledge or skills to be able to do something
Example:
I can drive a car.
A chemist can advise you about symptoms and medicines.
In these examples the modal verb can is positioned before the verbs drive and advise and indicates that the person we are talking about (the driver and the chemist) both have the ability to do these actions.
I know how to drive because I have taken driving lessons and I have passed my driving test.
A chemist knows about the human body and medicines and has qualifications so it is ok for them to give advice to customers.
Possibility – something being possible
Example:
Traffic jams can annoy some drivers.
Often, you can get better by staying at home and resting in bed.
In these examples the same modal verb can is positioned before the verbs annoy and get. The modal verb can now indicates a possibility rather than an ability. Traffic jams can annoy some drivers BUT it doesn’t mean that it annoys all drivers! Some drivers might not be annoyed.
Likewise, when we say:
‘…you can get better by staying at home and resting in bed…’
We mean that it is a possibility that you will ‘get better’ if you stay in bed.
It is possible that some people get better by resting in bed but other people do not.