Breaking Free from Arthritis Pain: How Physical Therapy Can Transform Your Daily Life

Living with arthritis doesn’t have to mean accepting a life of constant pain and stiffness. Despite persistent prevalence, arthritis remains treatable through medication, exercise, and physical therapy, which can help improve function and reduce pain. For millions of Americans struggling with arthritis symptoms, physical therapy offers a proven, non-invasive path to reclaiming mobility and improving quality of life.

Understanding Arthritis and Its Impact on Daily Living

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease and a leading cause of disability in older adults. With an increasing population ageing and obesity, OA is becoming even more prevalent than it was in previous decades. Recent research reveals the significant toll arthritis takes on working adults, with nearly 40% of American adults ages 18 to 64 with arthritis—almost 10 million people—saying the medical condition is limiting their ability to work.

The typical symptoms of OA patients are pain and stiffness in the joint. The pain is usually provoked by load bearing and relieved by rest, but it may become less predictable over time. Stiffness is worse in the morning or on arising after prolonged sitting. These symptoms can significantly impact your ability to perform everyday activities, from climbing stairs to getting in and out of cars.

The Science Behind Physical Therapy for Arthritis

Physical therapy is the most commonly recommended nonpharmacological and nonsurgical treatment for musculoskeletal diseases, especially OA. The goal of physical therapy for OA is to reduce pain, improve joint function and improve the patient’s physical condition, enabling the patient to gain sufficient mobility in activities of daily living.

Recent studies demonstrate impressive success rates for physical therapy interventions. Physical therapy is effective for a wide range of conditions, with success rates between 68% and 72% for most patients. Success rates between 68% and 72% demonstrate that physiotherapy delivers substantial benefits for most patients seeking treatment. Even more encouraging, according to 2020 research involving people with knee osteoarthritis, PT was more effective than intraarticular glucocorticoid (steroid) injections at reducing pain and functional disability.

Key Benefits of Physical Therapy for Arthritis Management

The goal of PT for arthritis is to reduce pain, stiffness and fatigue and improve motion, endurance and stamina. PT can also improve coordination and balance as well as reduce the progression of arthritic changes. Specifically, physical therapy can help arthritis patients in several crucial ways:

• Pain Relief Without Medication: Physical therapy helps relieve pain without the need for medication, offering a more natural approach to management.
• Improved Range of Motion: Physical therapy can improve your ability to bend and straighten a joint. Even incremental improvements in a joint’s range of motion can make a significant difference in joint function.
• Enhanced Strength and Stability: Physical therapy helps to slow down the degenerative process by improving the strength and stability in muscles that surround a given joint, thereby decreasing the wear and tear to your joints from activities of daily living.
• Better Balance and Fall Prevention: Individuals with osteoarthritis often have impaired balance resulting from muscle weakness, decreased joint function, decreased mobility, and other factors. Skilled physical therapists may also incorporate balance components into your treatment plan that include changes in terrain/surface, walking distances, and elevation to simulate daily functional tasks in effort to improve balance and reduce your risk of falling.

What to Expect During Physical Therapy Treatment

During your initial PT visit, a therapist will evaluate your posture, strength, range of motion and balance. They will also evaluate how your body moves when you do daily activities. They will determine if there are muscle imbalances that could be aggravating your arthritic symptoms.

Your treatment plan will likely include a combination of approaches:

• Therapeutic Exercises: During PT, you may perform exercises that strengthen your muscles and improve your posture. Exercises may include the use of equipment like an exercise bike, rower, treadmill or elliptical as well as weight-training exercises.
• Manual Therapy: Physical therapists also use manual techniques to reduce tightness and spasms, which could aggravate the forces placed on a particular joint.
• Heat and Cold Therapy: Recommend different treatment options, such as braces and splints to support joints, shoe inserts to relieve stress on the lower extremities, and hot and cold therapy to ease joint pain and stiffness.
• Education and Lifestyle Modifications: A critical element of physical therapy is education. Your physical therapist will help you understand, for example, how to reduce stress on your joints, how to do the exercises in your treatment plan and how to manage pain on your own.

The Convenience of Home-Based Physical Therapy

For many arthritis patients, getting to a traditional therapy clinic can be challenging due to pain, mobility limitations, or transportation issues. This is where specialized home therapy services become invaluable. Companies like MedCare Therapy Services recognize this need and discover specialized home therapy services, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, designed for individuals who find it difficult to leave their homes. We treat each patient like family, ensuring comfort and exceptional care in your own environment.

When seeking professional care, it’s important to work with experienced providers. For those in the Long Island area looking for a qualified physical therapist oceanside, MedCare Therapy Services has been providing expert home physical therapy and occupational therapy services since 2010. If you or a loved one struggles to access therapy, contact us today to see how we can assist you in your recovery journey.

Creating Your Long-Term Success Plan

As you learn to manage your arthritis, you’ll likely see your physical therapist less often, checking in with them every few months to set new goals and update your treatment plan as needed. Patients will achieve a better and more sustained outcome when they commit to performing their exercises daily and consistently as part of a home exercise program.

The key to a successful outcome is learning the exercises from a physical therapist and practicing them at home over the long term. Improvement is gradual – the body gets stronger and more adept slowly over time – so consistent practice is essential.

Insurance Coverage and Accessibility

The good news is that physical therapy for arthritis is widely covered by insurance. Most health insurance plans will cover physical therapy in 2025, with approximately 85% of private policies including PT benefits. Most private health insurance plans (85%) include physical therapy coverage, with typical copayments ranging from $20 to $75 per session. Medicare Part B covers 80% of physical therapy costs after meeting the deductible, making it accessible for eligible beneficiaries.

Taking the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living

If you’re living with arthritis pain and stiffness, physical therapy offers a scientifically-proven path to improvement. Physical therapy (PT) is a promising treatment option for arthritis. Working with a physical therapist can help you manage symptoms, increase mobility, and improve physical function. They’ll also teach you specific exercises and techniques that can allow you to move with less pain and greater ease.

Don’t let arthritis control your life. With the right physical therapy approach, whether in a traditional clinic or through convenient home-based services, you can regain the mobility and comfort you deserve. The journey to better joint health starts with a single step – reaching out to a qualified physical therapy provider who understands your unique needs and challenges.