(661) 282-8584 contactus@ariptcare.com Fax: (661) 727-0005 Español
Book an Appointment

Patient Questions  /  Does physical therapy help arthritis?

Bone Health & Surgery

Does Physical Therapy Help Arthritis?

Yes, for many people. Exercise is one of the most strongly recommended treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, and physical therapy can reduce pain and make daily activities easier. It can't rebuild worn cartilage, but stronger muscles and better movement often matter more for how you feel.

Request an Evaluation

How physical therapy helps

  • Strengthening the muscles around the joint so they absorb more of the load.
  • Improving motion in stiff joints, often with hands-on treatment and stretching.
  • Building activity safely, like walking or cycling, at a level your joints can handle.
  • Practical help with stairs, getting up from a chair, and pacing your day. Your therapist can also advise on a cane or brace if it would help.

If you're carrying extra weight, losing some also takes pressure off your knees and hips.

Common worries

“Will exercise wear out my joint faster?” For most people with osteoarthritis, the right exercise doesn't speed up joint damage, and staying inactive tends to make stiffness and weakness worse.

“My X-ray looks bad.” X-ray findings often don't match how much pain someone has. Many people with significant changes on X-ray do well with exercise.

“It hurts when I exercise.” Mild discomfort during exercise is often OK, as long as it settles within a day. Your therapist helps you find the right level.

Other types of arthritis. People with rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis also benefit from exercise, alongside the medical treatment their doctor prescribes.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • A joint that is suddenly hot, red and swollen, especially with fever: get same-day care
  • Swelling in several joints with morning stiffness that lasts more than an hour
  • A joint that gives way or locks after an injury
  • Swelling, warmth or redness in the calf, which needs urgent attention

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist builds an exercise program around your joints, your goals and your current level, and adjusts it as you get stronger. For some people, it also helps delay or avoid joint replacement surgery.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Knee pain and arthritis →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026