Arthritis Therapy
Arthritis can make everyday movement feel harder than it should. Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or weakness can affect how you walk, work, exercise, sleep, and keep up with your daily routines. Arthritis therapy can help you move with less pain, protect your joints, and stay active in the ways that matter to you.
What Is Arthritis Therapy?
Arthritis therapy is physical therapy and, in some cases, occupational therapy for joint pain, stiffness, and limited movement caused by arthritis. Your care plan depends on the type of arthritis, the joints affected, your symptoms, and your daily goals.
Therapy may include gentle strengthening, range-of-motion exercises, balance work, hands-on techniques, activity guidance, and joint protection strategies. The goal is to help you move more comfortably and manage arthritis pain in daily life.
Arthritis therapy does not replace medical care from your physician or rheumatologist. It can be an important part of a broader care plan that may also include medication, lifestyle changes, injections, or surgery when needed.
Arthritis Therapy at Ivy Rehab
Arthritis affects people in different ways. Hand arthritis can make gripping, writing, cooking, or opening jars difficult. Knee, hip, or ankle arthritis can affect walking, stairs, exercise, and balance. Shoulder arthritis can make reaching, lifting, or sleeping uncomfortable.
Your Ivy Rehab physical therapist will start by learning what hurts, what feels limited, and what you want to do more comfortably. From there, we create a treatment plan around your movement, strength, pain level, and daily routines.
If arthritis affects your hands, wrists, or daily tasks, occupational therapy may also be part of your care. When physical and occupational therapists work together, your plan can support both movement and real-life function.
Who Can Benefit from Arthritis Therapy?
Arthritis therapy may help people with joint pain, stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility. It can help determine whether arthritis is new, ongoing, or part of a larger condition.
Arthritis therapy may be a good fit if you:
- Have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or another type of arthritis.
- Feel stiff or sore after sitting, sleeping, walking, or using your hands.
- Have joint pain that limits work, exercise, hobbies, or daily routines.
- Want safe, low-impact exercise guidance.
- Need help protecting painful joints during everyday tasks.
- Are preparing for or recovering from joint replacement surgery.
A therapist can help you understand what movement is safe, what to avoid, and how to keep doing more of what matters.
Our Arthritis Therapy Services
Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and joint movement. Your physical therapist may use therapeutic exercise, soft-tissue mobilization, walking or movement training, and education to help reduce stress on painful joints.
Low-impact movement is often part of arthritis care. The CDC recommends joint-friendly activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, water exercise, tai chi, and light gardening because they put less stress on the joints.
Occupational Therapy for Arthritis
Occupational therapy can help when arthritis affects everyday tasks. This may be especially helpful for arthritis in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, or other areas that affect daily function.
Your occupational therapist may help with joint-protection strategies, splints, adaptive equipment, energy conservation, and easier ways to complete daily tasks. The goal is to help you stay independent and reduce strain during the activities you need and want to do.
Pre- and Post-Surgical Arthritis Therapy
If arthritis leads to total joint replacement surgery, therapy can help before and after the procedure. Pre-surgical therapy (prehab) can build strength, improve balance, and help you prepare for what recovery may involve.
Post-surgical treatment helps restore mobility, rebuild strength, and safely return to daily activities. Your therapist will follow your surgeon’s guidance and adjust your plan as you heal.
How We Approach Arthritis Therapy
Step 1: A Thorough Evaluation
Your complimentary screening is a chance to talk through your arthritis symptoms, daily routine, and goals. Your physical therapist checks your joint movement, strength, balance, walking pattern, and how arthritis affects your physical activities.
This helps your therapist understand where you are now and what kind of support may be most helpful.
Step 2: A Plan Built Around Your Life
Your care plan is based on your type of arthritis, affected joints, pain level, strength, mobility, and goals. Your therapist will choose exercises, hands-on care, and home strategies that fit your body’s response.
If occupational therapy is part of your care, your therapists can coordinate so your plan supports both movement and daily tasks.
Step 3: Progress, Making Adjustment, and Managing Symptoms
Arthritis can change from day to day. Your therapy plan should be able to change with it.
Your therapist will track progress, adjust exercises, and help you build habits that support your joints beyond the clinic at home and in daily life. That may include pacing, safer movement patterns, home exercises, and strategies for staying active during flare-ups.
FAQs
Can Arthritis Therapy Help Me Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery?
For some people, therapy can help reduce symptoms, improve function, and delay the need for surgery. It depends on the type and severity of arthritis, your goals, and how your joints respond to care. Your therapist and physician can help you understand your options.
Can Physical Therapy Help with Arthritis Pain?
Yes. Physical therapy can help manage arthritis pain by improving strength, flexibility, balance, and joint mobility. Stronger muscles can help support painful joints, and the right activity plan can make movement feel more manageable.
How Many Physical Therapy Sessions Will I Need?
It depends on your symptoms, the type of arthritis you have, the joints affected, your goals, and your overall health. Your physical therapist will talk with you about a realistic plan after your evaluation and adjust it based on your progress.
Is Exercise Safe if I Have Arthritis?
For many people, yes. Exercise is commonly recommended as part of arthritis care, especially low-impact activities that support joint movement without adding excessive stress. Your physical therapist can help you choose exercises that fit your symptoms and comfort level.
What Is the Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis often related to wear and changes in joint cartilage over time. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints. Both can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, but treatment options may differ.
Take the first step toward relief.
You don’t have to live with back pain. Ivy Rehab’s expert team is ready to help you move better, feel stronger, and enjoy life without limitations. Schedule an appointment today for the best treatment for back pain.