Managing Arthritis With Physical Therapy
Unfortunately, arthritis affects millions of Americans every year. It is one of the most common health conditions among seniors, can be debilitating, and has no “cure.” It causes stiffness, pain and inflammation in joints, and can make daily activities, such as eating, walking, and dressing more difficult.
Fortunately, in many cases, arthritis can be effectively managed. One of the most important ways this condition can be controlled and pain reduced is through physical therapy. Physical therapy for arthritis can help restore function to joints and muscles, reduce pain, and ultimately, lead to a more healthy, independent life.
At Haven Health, we offer our residents some of the best physical therapy programs in all of Arizona. Our plans are always personalized, ensuring you or your loved ones get the best and most comprehensive care.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a group of conditions affecting the joints. Contrary to popular belief, arthritis isn’t a single disease but a general term referring to more than 100 conditions. In most cases, arthritis causes inflammation in the joints, in turn, causing pain and stiffness.
The most common types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis: This kind of arthritis occurs when the cartilage inside joints becomes worn, usually due to old age. This is the most common type of arthritis affecting seniors. This type of arthritis most often affects joints that bear our weight, like ankles, knees, and hips.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This type of arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning part of the body’s self-defense system attacks the body itself. In this case, the body attacks the joints. This type of arthritis often affects the fingers, wrist and hands.
- Gout: This is a specific type of arthritis that can strike anyone at any time. It happens when uric-acid crystals build up in the joints. It most often affects the big toe, and is usually described as particularly painful.
- Psoriatic arthritis: This type of arthritis most often affects people with the skin condition psoriasis, but it can affect anyone. The exact cause of this type of arthritis is unknown to doctors and scientists, but it is also believed to be an autoimmune condition, like rheumatoid arthritis above.
In addition to these common causes, there are more than 100 other types of arthritis identified by doctors and the medical community. Common symptoms to most forms of arthritis include joint stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility.
How Physical Therapy Treats Arthritis
Physical therapy uses a number of techniques and exercises to improve body mechanics and posture, strengthen muscles supporting affected joints, increase range of motion and flexibility, and teach safe movement strategies to prevent further injury.
Teaching proper posture and movement reduces strain on joints. Strengthening the muscles around these joints does the same, by supporting and protecting the joints with increased muscle strength and mass.
Increasing flexibility helps to relieve stiffness and improve joint function and mobility while reducing pain. Physical therapists may use exercises, manual manipulation, and other techniques to increase your flexibility.
One often overlooked aspect of physical therapy is the teaching aspect. Any good physical therapist, including ours at Haven Health, will help provide training on how to safely move, avoid flare-ups, and prevent further injury.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Arthritis
Physical therapy treatment for arthritis has numerous benefits for adults. Importantly, it also has very few drawbacks. It is non-invasive, non-surgical, and non-medication based. Physical therapy is often best used in combination with other medical interventions, but it can also be used to prevent more invasive treatments.
Physical therapy can:
- Reduce pain naturally without over-reliance on medication.
- Enhance physical function for daily activities.
- Improve balance and prevent falls.
- Maintain independence and overall quality of life.
When undergoing physical therapy, many people are surprised how much their strength, balance, and comfort improve.
Types of Physical Therapy Approaches
Depending on arthritis type and severity, a number of different approaches may be used:
- Manual therapy: This includes massage and manual manipulation of the joints to reduce stiffness and muscle tension.
- Exercise therapy: This includes exercises targeted for strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Education on body mechanics: Our physical therapists help patients train in safe movements and exercises to help prevent further injury.
Together, these strategies can help reduce symptoms, and even halt or reverse the progression of the condition.
Getting Started With Physical Therapy at Haven Health
The best way to get started with physical therapy at Haven health is to give us a call. We can then begin a consultation, make an evaluation, and create a personalized treatment plan that will get you back on the road to good health.
Our experienced therapists maintain a supportive environment, and our facilities are state-of-the art. Whether your goal is to reduce pain, counteract the effects of aging, or regain mobility, we can help just about anyone suffering from arthritis in Arizona.
Contact us today for guidance and to schedule therapy sessions. We’re always happy to answer questions over the phone and provide a tour of our facilities.
For Physical Therapy in Arizona, Call Haven Health
If you’d like to know more for yourself or a loved one, reach out to Haven Health with any questions or to schedule a consultation.
Sources:
Kavuncu, V., et al. (2004). Physiotherapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Physical Therapy for Arthritis. (2025).
Wang, W., et al. (2022). Physical Therapy as a Promising Treatment for Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review.