Arthritis

At East Devon Physical Therapy, we help people with arthritis reduce pain, improve movement, build strength and stay active with confidence.

Arthritis can affect everyday life in lots of different ways. For some people it causes stiffness first thing in the morning. For others it is pain with walking, stairs, exercise, getting up from a chair, or doing the things they used to manage more easily. It can be frustrating when joints feel unreliable, movement becomes more limited, or symptoms start to affect independence and quality of life.

Our role is to assess properly, explain clearly, and help you manage arthritis with a practical plan that supports long-term improvement.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a broad term used to describe joint-related pain and stiffness. In many cases, especially osteoarthritis, the issue is linked to changes within the joint over time, alongside reduced strength, reduced confidence, and lower tolerance to load.

Common areas affected include:

Symptoms can vary, but often include pain, stiffness, reduced movement, weakness, swelling, and difficulty with daily tasks or exercise.

Our Approach to Arthritis Treatment

At East Devon Physical Therapy, we do not see arthritis as a reason to stop moving.

In most cases, the right approach is to help you move better, get stronger, improve confidence and find the right level of activity for your joints. We look at the bigger picture: which joints are affected, how symptoms behave, what is becoming difficult, and what is most likely to help you function better.

Your treatment plan may include:

A detailed assessment of the affected joint or joints
Clear diagnosis and explanation
Advice on activity, pacing and load management
Strengthening exercises to support the joint
Mobility work to improve movement
Functional rehabilitation for walking, stairs and daily tasks
Hands-on treatment where appropriate
PBM laser therapy where clinically appropriate to help with symptom management
Support with returning to exercise and staying active safely

Our aim is not just to reduce pain, but to help you stay mobile, capable and confident.

Why Exercise Matters With Arthritis

One of the biggest myths around arthritis is that pain always means damage and that rest is the answer.

In reality, many people with arthritis do better when they follow the right exercise and rehabilitation plan.

Strengthening the muscles around a joint can improve support, reduce strain and make movement feel easier.

Improving mobility, balance and confidence can also have a big impact on day-to-day life.
That is why treatment is usually most effective when it combines education, movement and progressive rehabilitation.

Why Choose East Devon Physical Therapy?

We combine expert clinical assessment with practical, evidence-based rehabilitation tailored to the individual.

Some people need help managing early symptoms and staying active. Others need more structured support because pain, weakness or stiffness are starting to affect walking, exercise or independence. We adapt treatment to the person in front of us, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Our team focuses on honest advice, realistic planning and helping people make meaningful progress over time.

Common Goals We Help With

People often come to us because they want to:

Reduce joint pain and stiffness
Improve walking and mobility
Build strength around affected joints
Feel more confident using stairs and getting up from chairs
Stay active and independent
Return to exercise safely
Manage flare-ups more effectively
Avoid becoming more limited over time

What to Expect

Your first appointment gives us time to understand your symptoms, assess the affected joint or joints, and identify what is most limiting your movement and function.

We will explain what we think is going on, what is likely to help, and how to start improving things in a safe and realistic way.

You will leave with a clear plan, not vague advice or generic exercises.