🦴 Arthritis & Joint Pain
Understand the common causes of arthritis and joint pain, what you can do about it, and when physiotherapy may help.
What is arthritis & joint pain?
Joint pain from arthritis can come and go, and it's easy to assume rest is the answer. In reality, staying active in the right way often helps more than rest alone, and physiotherapy can help you find that balance.
Common causes
- Osteoarthritis (wear-related joint changes)
- Inflammatory arthritis affecting one or more joints
- A previous joint injury
- Muscle weakness around an affected joint
- Age-related changes in joint cartilage
Common symptoms
- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Swelling around one or more joints
- Pain that changes with activity or weather
- Reduced range of motion over time
- Joints that feel warm or tender
When to see a physiotherapist
- Is joint pain or stiffness limiting your daily activities?
- Is a joint swollen, warm, or tender to touch?
- Are symptoms getting worse rather than better over time?
- Are you unsure how much activity is safe for your joints?
How physiotherapy can help
A physiotherapist can help you understand which movements and activities are safe, build strength around affected joints, and support you in staying active despite arthritis.
Treatment approaches
- Personalised exercise therapy
- Joint-friendly strengthening
- Mobility and movement training
- Pain management strategies
- Activity pacing advice
- Education and self-management
What to expect at your first visit
Your physiotherapist will typically start by discussing your symptoms and history, then carry out an appropriate assessment. They'll talk through what they find in plain language, answer your questions, and work with you to build an individualised plan — there's no expectation that everything gets fixed in one visit.
Ready to take the next step?
Find a physiotherapist who can assess your condition and help you work towards your recovery.
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