Many People Live with Arthritis Pain. You Don’t Have To. Find Relief with Physical Therapy.

Do you wake up with stiff joints that are difficult to move in the morning? Even if things improve throughout the day, you could still be dealing with arthritis. Arthritis is a common condition that affects many people—yet many delay seeking professional help for painful joints for far too long.

Fortunately, physical therapy is one of the best treatment options for arthritis pain. Schedule an appointment with Recover Fisioterapia & Rehabilitacion today if you suspect arthritis. We’re here to help your joints move freely again!

What Are the Different Types of Arthritis?

Arthritis causes pain and inflammation and may affect one or multiple joints at the same time. The two most commonly experienced types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is often easier to diagnose. It occurs when the cartilage in a joint wears down, whether due to aging, an injury, or overuse.

If you had an injury years ago, you likely received treatment, recovered, and returned to normal activity believing your body was fully back to normal. Even if the injury has healed, damage to cartilage or surrounding muscles may reduce joint support over time. This can lead to osteoarthritis later in life as a result of that earlier injury.

The same can happen if your job involves repetitive movements or frequent use of specific body parts. Osteoarthritis may develop in joints exposed to repeated strain as part of your work.

In addition, being overweight can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, as it places extra stress on the joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is also known as inflammatory arthritis and is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly identifies the joints as a threat and attacks them. This leads to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and if left untreated, it can result in permanent joint damage and deformities. Research suggests that a person’s medical history, environment, and hormones may play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Because it is an autoimmune condition, it commonly affects the same joints on both sides of the body.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may notice popping or cracking sounds in your joints. This occurs because the cartilage between the joints has worn down over time, leaving more joint surfaces rubbing against each other.

Women are more likely than men to develop this condition. People with arthritis often report joint pain that worsens after prolonged sitting, standing, or inactivity. Pain may also occur during exercise or work-related activities and may improve once the activity stops.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help Relieve Arthritis Pain?

The main goals of physical therapy for arthritis are to manage pain and address the underlying cause—rather than simply masking symptoms with medication. Our arthritis treatments are tailored to your unique needs, helping you heal more efficiently and achieve longer-lasting results.

Our skilled physical therapists will perform a thorough evaluation to identify which joints are stiff or uncomfortable and determine which exercises can help relieve pain while supporting your daily activities. These gentle, targeted exercises can improve range of motion, flexibility, and overall function. We’ll also teach you how to prevent future joint injuries and guide you on rehabilitation exercises you can safely perform on your own.