Change page style:

• Default style
• Larger Text
• Styles off

There are a number of types of arthritis and both their causes and symptoms can differ greatly. The important thing to remember if your doctor’s diagnosed you with the condition is that there’s lots you can do to manage it, improve your mobility and relieve your pain, so don’t give up!

Osteoarthritis is the type most commonly associated with growing older or wear and tear. It can be caused by old age, being overweight or certain types of work which put a lot of strain on some or all of your joints. The affected joints start to deteriorate and the soft tissue supporting them weakens, restricting your movement and causing pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are diseases and can often appear while you’re quite young. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect most parts of your body and usually presents with the same symptoms as those above, but with more inflammation around the affected area. Ankylosing spondylitis is usually associated with a lot of of stiffness, and often affects the spine.

So how can we help? Our physios work to relieve your pain and restore your mobility by strengthening the muscles that surround and support your joints. They spend time explaining what’s triggering your discomfort and how you can do everyday tasks differently so you’ll feel more comfortable. You’ll also be given a programme of exercises and, if appropriate, electrotherapy to relieve your pain.