Arthritis is a broad term for conditions that affect the joints. The most common type is osteoarthritis, where the joint surfaces and surrounding tissues change over time. Other forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, involve inflammation driven by the immune system. People with arthritis often notice joint pain, stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting, swelling, reduced movement, and difficulty with tasks like climbing stairs, gripping or getting out of a chair. Symptoms can come and go, with good days and flare-ups. At Blockline Physiotherapy & Wellness in Kitchener, our physiotherapists help people with arthritis stay active and manage their symptoms.
Common causes
- Age-related changes in the joints
- A previous joint injury, such as a ligament or cartilage injury
- Repeated heavy load on certain joints over many years
- Weakness in the muscles that support a joint
- Family history of arthritis
- Body weight, which can increase load on the knees and hips
- Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
How physiotherapy can help
Exercise and staying active are an important part of managing arthritis for many people, and physiotherapy can help you do that with confidence. Your physiotherapist will start with an assessment, asking which joints are affected, how your symptoms change through the day, and what activities you want to keep doing or get back to. They will check your joint movement, strength, balance and walking, and explain what they find in plain language.
Your physiotherapy plan may include:
- Exercise — a tailored program to build strength around affected joints, maintain movement and improve balance, starting at a level that feels manageable.
- Manual therapy — hands-on techniques that may help ease stiffness and discomfort.
- Activity and pacing advice — strategies to balance activity and rest, manage flare-ups, and make daily tasks easier on your joints.
- Massage therapy — where appropriate, massage therapy, including hot stone massage, may help with muscle tension around sore joints.
- Laser therapy — your physiotherapist may discuss laser therapy as an addition to your exercise program in some cases.
- Braces and orthoses — for some people, custom braces or orthoses may provide extra support for a painful knee or foot.
Arthritis is usually a long-term condition, so the goal is to help you manage it well and keep doing what you enjoy. If you are preparing for or recovering from joint replacement surgery, see our post-operative rehabilitation service. For joint pain in the knee specifically, see our page on knee pain.
When to see a doctor first
Some joint symptoms need medical assessment. See your doctor, or seek urgent care, if you have:
- A hot, red, very swollen joint, especially with fever or feeling unwell
- Sudden, severe joint pain without a clear reason
- Swelling and stiffness in several joints, particularly morning stiffness that lasts a long time
- Joint pain with unexplained weight loss, rash or fatigue
- A joint that gives way, locks, or cannot bear weight after a fall or injury
If you have an inflammatory form of arthritis, your physiotherapist will work alongside the care you receive from your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to exercise with arthritis?
For most people, yes. The right kind and amount of exercise is often recommended as part of managing arthritis. Your physiotherapist will help you choose exercises that suit your joints and adjust them if you have a flare-up.
Can physiotherapy help before joint replacement surgery?
Many people find it helpful to build strength and movement before surgery and then continue physiotherapy afterwards. Your physiotherapist will work with you based on your surgeon’s guidance.
Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist for arthritis?
No. In Ontario you can see a physiotherapist without a doctor’s referral. Some insurance plans do require one for reimbursement, so it’s worth checking your plan before your first visit. We offer direct billing to most insurance providers.
If arthritis is getting in the way of your day, you don’t have to sort it out alone. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk with a physiotherapist about what you’re experiencing, or book an assessment online through Jane. Prefer to talk to someone? Call us at 519-576-1777. We’re open seven days a week, with evening appointments on weekdays, at our clinic on Block Line Rd in Kitchener.