Exercise Physiology for Arthritis
Exercise physiology for arthritis at MTP Health helps people living with joint pain and stiffness get stronger, stay active and manage everyday symptoms. Our accredited exercise physiologists support adults across Sydney's North Shore and Northern Beaches with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis.
We start by understanding your joints, your health and what you want to get back to doing. From there, we build a joint-friendly exercise program and help you adjust it through good days and flares.
Types of Arthritis We Help
Arthritis is a group of more than 100 conditions that affect the joints. Our exercise physiologists commonly work with people who have:
- Osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, hands, feet or spine
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Gout, once an attack has settled and with guidance from their GP
- Joint pain and stiffness that has started to limit walking, stairs, sleep or work
- Arthritis alongside other conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or osteoporosis
If your joint pain is new, getting worse or has not been diagnosed, see your GP or our physiotherapy team first.
How Exercise Physiology for Arthritis Helps
Stronger muscles help support and control your joints, and regular movement can ease stiffness. Exercise may also help with the fatigue, poor sleep and low mood that often come with arthritis.
Depending on your joints and goals, your program may include:
- Joint-friendly strength training for the muscles around your knees, hips, shoulders, hands or back
- Low-impact aerobic exercise, such as cycling, walking or water-based exercise
- Mobility and range of motion work to help with morning stiffness
- Balance training, particularly if pain has changed the way you walk
- Practice with daily tasks, like rising from a chair, climbing stairs or gripping
We also look at the overall load on your joints. For some people with knee or hip osteoarthritis, gradual weight management may help reduce joint load, and we can coordinate with your GP or a dietitian where useful.
Your Arthritis Assessment
Your 50-minute initial consultation includes a functional assessment focused on your arthritis. We typically look at:
- Your diagnosis, scan results, medications and other health conditions
- Which joints are affected, and how pain and stiffness change through the day
- Strength, range of motion, walking and balance
- Activities you find hard, from gardening to a round of golf
- Your goals and how exercise can fit into your week
A clear plan and exercises you can start on
The aim is for you to leave with a clear plan and exercises you can start on, whether you continue one-on-one, in a small group of up to four, or online.
Managing Flares and Pain
Some discomfort during exercise can be normal with arthritis and does not always mean harm. We show you how to monitor the way your joints respond during and after a session, so you can find a level that suits you.
During a flare, we often:
- Reduce load, range or session length rather than stopping movement entirely
- Swap demanding exercises for gentler options, such as supported or seated work
- Keep gentle movement going to help manage stiffness
- Rebuild gradually once symptoms settle
A more cautious approach
With inflammatory arthritis, hot and swollen joints need a more cautious approach, and we work within your rheumatologist's advice. Seek medical review if a joint suddenly becomes red, hot or very swollen.
Working With Your Health Team
Arthritis care often involves several people. Your GP or rheumatologist manages diagnosis and medication, a physiotherapist may provide hands-on treatment, and an orthopaedic surgeon may discuss surgical options where appropriate.
At MTP Health, our exercise physiologists, physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons work as one team. If knee or hip osteoarthritis is your main concern and you would like a multidisciplinary review, our Osteoarthritis Clinic offers a comprehensive one-off assessment. For structured ongoing exercise, our Restore program is a 12-week knee and hip program run in small groups twice a week.
If you are preparing for or recovering from a joint replacement, our post-surgery rehabilitation service covers that stage.
Funding and Getting Started
You do not need a referral to see an exercise physiologist at MTP Health. We see people face to face at St Leonards and Beacon Hill, and online.
If you live with arthritis as a chronic condition, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on some sessions through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. Private health insurance may also contribute depending on your cover, and our team can talk you through options.
Related Services
These related services sit alongside arthritis:
Moving Well With Arthritis
If arthritis is getting in the way of walking, working or doing what you enjoy, our exercise physiologists can help you move with more confidence. No referral is needed.
Book an initial consultation at St Leonards or Beacon Hill, or ask our team about online sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I exercise if my joints hurt?
For most people with arthritis, staying active is encouraged, even when joints ache. Your exercise physiologist helps you choose the type and amount of exercise your joints tolerate, and adjusts it if pain increases. If pain is severe or new, or a joint is hot and swollen, check in with your doctor first.
Will exercise make my arthritis worse?
For most people, well-planned exercise does not make arthritis worse, and it can help improve strength, mobility and function. We progress gradually and monitor your symptoms so your program stays at a level your joints can manage.
Can exercise physiology help rheumatoid arthritis?
Exercise can be a helpful part of managing rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, alongside treatment from your rheumatologist. Programs often focus on strength, fitness and joint range, with changes during flares. We also take fatigue into account, as it is common with inflammatory conditions.
Is water-based exercise good for arthritis?
Exercising in water can be a comfortable option for some people because it takes load off painful joints. It usually works well alongside land-based strength training, which your exercise physiologist can build into your program.
How long before I notice a difference?
Everyone responds differently. Some people notice changes in stiffness, confidence or daily tasks within several weeks of regular exercise, while strength gains build over a few months.