Joint Pain / Arthritis

Joint pain / Arthritis causes discomfort, swelling, or stiffness where two or more bones meet. It can affect knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles, hands and even the fingers and toes. The symptoms can range from occasional aches to chronic, activity-limiting pain.

Common Causes of Joint Pain / Arthritis

  • Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Injury or Overuse
  • Tendinitis or Bursitis
  • Joint Misalignment or Instability
  • Muscle Weakness or Imbalance
  • Post-Surgical Recovery

How a Licensed Physical Therapist Can Help

Physical therapy offers a non-invasive path to lasting relief and improved joint health. A licensed physical therapist will:

  • Evaluate your joint mechanics and movement patterns
  • Design a customized treatment plan targeting pain reduction and mobility gains
  • Guide you through targeted strengthening and flexibility exercises
  • Use hands-on techniques (manual therapy, mobilizations) to restore joint function
  • Educate on posture, body mechanics, and joint-protection strategies
  • Utilize joint ultrasound and NCV/EMG testing by board-certified professionals to pinpoint the root cause and severity—resulting in faster, more effective outcomes

Advantages of Physical Therapy vs. Pharmaceutical & Invasive Treatments

  • Fewer Adverse Effects
    Physical therapy avoids gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and dependency risks associated with long-term NSAIDs or opioids.
  • Superior or Comparable Pain Relief
    Exercise therapy often outperforms medications and injections for knee osteoarthritis pain and delivers longer-lasting functional gains.
  • Cost-Effectiveness
    Courses of physical therapy reduce overall healthcare spending compared to repeated injections or chronic medication regimens.
  • Non-Invasive & Low Risk
    No needles, incisions, anesthesia, or procedural complications—making it suitable for virtually all patients, including those contraindicated for surgery or certain drugs.

Whether your joint pain is due to arthritis, injury, or overuse, working with a licensed physical therapist can help you regain strength, increase flexibility, and return to the activities you love—without relying solely on medication or surgery.

References

  1. Bennell KL et al. Physical Therapy versus Glucocorticoid Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. N Engl J Med. 2020;382:1427–1437.
  2. Li M et al. Arthroscopic Surgery Is Not Superior to Conservative Treatment in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25:813.
  3. Staniszewska A et al. Cost-Effectiveness of Physical Therapy vs Intra-articular Glucocorticoid Injections in Knee Osteoarthritis. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(6):e211234.
  4. Bennell KL et al. Similar Effects of Exercise Therapy, NSAIDs, and Opioids for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: Network Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(4):207–216.
  5. Krebs EE et al. Opioid vs Nonopioid Medications for Chronic Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis Pain (SPACE Trial). JAMA. 2018;319(9):872–882.
  6. Qaseem A et al. Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Management of Osteoarthritis: ACP Guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166(1):46–58.
  7. Rostom A et al. Gastrointestinal and Cardiovascular Risk of NSAIDs. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009;7(10):1013–1023.