Arthritis & Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 32 million Americans. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones gradually wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased range of motion. OA most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine — but can affect any joint in the body.

Physical therapy is a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. Targeted strengthening of the muscles surrounding an arthritic joint significantly reduces the load on the joint itself, decreasing pain and slowing disease progression. Manual therapy, joint mobilization, and modalities like laser therapy and dry needling address the pain and stiffness that limit your ability to exercise effectively.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the synovial lining of the joints, causing chronic inflammation, joint damage, and systemic effects including fatigue and pain. RA most commonly affects the small joints of the hands and feet but can involve any joint — including the spine, knees, hips, and shoulders.

Physical therapy for RA is carefully calibrated to the patient’s disease state and current inflammatory activity. During active flares, treatment focuses on gentle mobility, pain relief, and joint protection education. Between flares, we progressively build strength and function to reduce the impact of future episodes. Our Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is specially trained in managing RA-related hand and wrist dysfunction, including custom splinting for deformity prevention and functional improvement.

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia

Osteoporosis — a condition of reduced bone density — significantly increases fracture risk, particularly of the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteopenia is the precursor state, where bone density is below normal but not yet in the osteoporosis range. Physical therapy plays a critical and often underutilized role in managing both conditions.

Weight-bearing and resistance exercise are the most powerful non-pharmacological interventions for improving and maintaining bone density. At Healing Star PT, we design safe, progressive strengthening programs appropriate for your bone density level. We also address the two most significant risk factors for osteoporotic fracture: fall risk and poor posture. Balance training, gait assessment, and spinal extension strengthening are central to osteoporosis care.

For patients with vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis, we provide specialized rehabilitation to restore function, manage pain, and prevent further fractures through postural correction and safe loading strategies.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis affecting up to 30% of people with psoriasis. It can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in any joint, as well as tendon and ligament inflammation (enthesitis) and finger/toe swelling (dactylitis). Physical therapy helps manage pain, maintain joint mobility, and build the strength needed to protect affected joints — particularly during periods of active inflammation.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. Without proper management, it can lead to progressive spinal stiffness and, in advanced cases, fusion of the vertebrae. Physical therapy and regular exercise are among the most important components of AS management — far more so than in most other rheumatic diseases. We design spinal mobility and posture programs that combat the stiffness and postural changes characteristic of AS.

Post-Inflammatory and Reactive Joint Pain

Joints that have been through significant inflammation — from infection, injury, or autoimmune activity — can develop persistent pain, stiffness, and weakness even after the primary cause has resolved. Physical therapy addresses this residual dysfunction through targeted joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and progressive loading.