Osteoarthritis (OA) | Home Physiotherapy | Physio to Home
Arthritis affects over 3.6 million Australians — and physiotherapy is the most evidence-supported non-surgical treatment. North Tasmania's home physiotherapist explains what it can do, and how to access it without leaving home.
Arthritis affects over 3.6 million Australians — and physiotherapy is the most evidence-supported non-surgical treatment. North Tasmania's home physiotherapist explains what it can do, and how to access it without leaving home.
Micheal Ghattas
12/19/2025 · 10 min read
Arthritis Pain Management at Home: What Physiotherapy Can Do for Older Tasmanians
By Michael Ghattas, DPT | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | 18 Years Experience
Physio to Home, North Tasmania | Last reviewed: February 2026
Part of the Physio to Home Chronic Pain Series
This article is a companion to our complete guide: Managing Chronic Pain at Home — What Physiotherapy Can Do. For a broader overview of how physiotherapy addresses persistent pain conditions, we recommend reading that guide alongside this one.
Arthritis is the most common chronic health condition in Australia, affecting over 3.6 million people. For older Tasmanians — particularly those living in rural and regional areas — it is also one of the most undertreated, with many people accepting significant daily pain and functional limitation as an inevitable part of ageing. It is not.
Physiotherapy is the most evidence-supported non-surgical treatment for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It does not reverse joint damage, but it reliably reduces pain, improves function, and helps people do more of what matters to them — and it can be delivered entirely in your home. This guide explains how.
Who this guide is for
This article is written for older Tasmanians living with arthritis — particularly osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, or spine — who want to understand what physiotherapy can achieve and how to access it at home. It is also relevant for family members and carers who want to support a loved one with arthritis management.
Understanding Arthritis: The Two Main Types
The word arthritis covers more than 100 different conditions affecting the joints, but two types account for the vast majority of cases seen in physiotherapy practice.
Osteoarthritis (OA) — the most common type
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) — an autoimmune condition
The most important message about arthritis
Arthritis pain does not mean a joint is being destroyed with every movement. Research has consistently shown that appropriate, graded exercise reduces arthritis pain, improves joint function, and protects cartilage over time. Avoiding movement because of arthritis accelerates the very deconditioning that makes pain worse. Movement, done correctly, is medicine.
What Physiotherapy Does for Arthritis
Physiotherapy for arthritis is not about fixing damaged joints — it is about optimising how you live and function with them. A well-designed physiotherapy programme addresses arthritis through several evidence-based approaches.
Exercise Therapy
Exercise is the single most evidence-supported treatment for osteoarthritis, recommended as first-line therapy by both the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Arthritis Australia. The evidence is clear: people with arthritis who exercise regularly experience significantly less pain and better function than those who do not — regardless of the severity of joint damage seen on imaging.
The key is that exercise must be appropriately graded — gradually building in intensity and load to allow the joint and surrounding muscles to adapt without triggering a flare. A physiotherapist designs and progresses this programme in a way that generic exercise guides cannot.
Muscle Strengthening
The muscles surrounding an arthritic joint act as shock absorbers and load distributors — reducing the forces transmitted through the damaged cartilage with every step. Strengthening these muscles is one of the most direct ways to reduce arthritis pain. For knee OA, quadriceps and hip abductor strength are particularly important. For hip OA, the hip external rotators and abductors carry the load. A home physiotherapy programme targets these specific muscle groups using exercises appropriate for your home environment.
Joint Protection Strategies
Joint protection involves modifying how you perform daily activities to reduce unnecessary load on arthritic joints. This might include changing how you rise from a chair, the height of surfaces you work at, the way you carry shopping, or the sequence in which you perform tasks throughout the day. These strategies are highly individual — and much more effectively taught in your actual home than in a clinic.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques including joint mobilisation and soft tissue massage can provide meaningful short-term pain relief for arthritis and help maintain joint range of motion. Manual therapy is most effective when combined with exercise — not used as a passive, standalone treatment. It is particularly useful in the early stages of a physiotherapy programme when pain levels are high and tolerance for exercise is limited.
Heat and Cold Therapy Guidance
The correct use of heat and cold can meaningfully reduce arthritis pain between physiotherapy visits. Heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscle tension, and reduces joint stiffness — most effective for chronic arthritis ache and morning stiffness. Cold reduces acute inflammation and is most useful after activity that has aggravated the joint. Your physiotherapist will advise on the correct approach for your specific presentation and help you establish a practical routine.
Education and Self-Management
Understanding arthritis — what it is, what drives pain, what activities are safe, and what the evidence says about treatment — significantly improves outcomes. People who understand their condition make better decisions about activity, pacing, and when to seek help. Pain neuroscience education is a core component of every Physio to Home arthritis programme.
Arthritis Exercises You Can Do at Home
The following exercises are appropriate for most people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. They can be performed safely at home using a sturdy chair for support. Stop any exercise that produces a sharp, significant increase in pain. Mild discomfort during exercise is normal — sharp or lasting pain is not.
Before you begin
These exercises are general guidance only. If you have recently had a flare-up, have severe arthritis, or have other health conditions that may affect exercise, speak with a physiotherapist before starting any programme. A home assessment allows exercises to be personalised to your specific joint presentation, pain levels, and home environment.
Sit to Stand
One of the most functional exercises for hip and knee arthritis — it directly trains the movement pattern used dozens of times each day. Sit toward the front of a firm chair, feet hip-width apart and slightly behind your knees. Lean forward from the hips, bring your nose over your toes, then push evenly through both feet to stand fully upright. Pause, then lower slowly back to sitting — controlling the descent rather than dropping. Aim for 10 repetitions, twice daily.
Seated Knee Extensions
Sit upright in a firm chair. Slowly straighten one knee until the leg is as extended as comfortable, hold for 3 seconds, then lower slowly. Keep the movement smooth and avoid locking the knee forcefully at the top. This strengthens the quadriceps — the most important muscle group for knee arthritis management. Aim for 15 repetitions each leg, twice daily.
Standing Hip Abduction
Stand side-on to a bench or kitchen counter, holding lightly for balance. Slowly lift one leg out to the side — keeping your hips level and your toes pointing forward — then lower with control. This strengthens the hip abductors, which reduce load on both the hip and knee joints. Aim for 12 repetitions each side, twice daily.
Heel Raises
Stand facing the bench, feet hip-width apart. Rise slowly onto the balls of both feet, hold for 2 seconds, then lower slowly over 3 to 4 seconds. This strengthens the calf muscles and improves ankle stability — important for distributing load away from arthritic knee and hip joints during walking. Aim for 15 repetitions, twice daily.
Gentle Range of Motion — Hip Circles
Seated in a firm chair, place both hands on your thighs. Slowly draw small circles with one knee — rotating the hip joint gently through its available range. Perform 5 circles in each direction, then switch legs. This maintains joint lubrication and reduces morning stiffness. Best performed first thing in the morning before standing.
How much pain is acceptable during exercise?
A useful guide is the 0–10 pain scale. Exercise that produces pain at 3 or below — mild, manageable discomfort — is generally safe to continue. Pain at 4 or above during exercise, or pain that is still elevated 30 minutes after exercise has finished, indicates the exercise was too intense or the wrong choice for your presentation. A physiotherapist helps you find the right balance for your specific joint and pain level.
Managing Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: Key Differences
Osteoarthritis
For OA, exercise and load management are the cornerstones of physiotherapy. The aim is to progressively increase the joint's tolerance for activity while strengthening the surrounding musculature. There are generally no absolute restrictions on exercise type — the programme is guided by your pain response and functional goals. Flare-ups are managed with temporary load reduction, heat or cold, and gentle range of motion work rather than complete rest.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA management requires closer coordination with your rheumatologist, as the level of disease activity — measured through blood tests and specialist review — directly affects what physiotherapy is appropriate at any given time. During active flares, physiotherapy focuses on gentle range of motion, joint protection, and reducing load on inflamed joints. During remission, a more progressive strengthening programme is appropriate. It is essential that your physiotherapist is aware of your current medication regime, including any corticosteroids or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), as these affect tissue healing and exercise response.
Accessing Arthritis Physiotherapy in Rural North Tasmania
For many older Tasmanians living in areas like Scottsdale, Ringarooma, George Town, or the Tamar Valley, accessing regular physiotherapy for arthritis management is genuinely difficult. Long distances, transport dependency, and limited appointment availability in regional areas mean that many people with arthritis simply go without the evidence-based care that would meaningfully improve their quality of life.
Mobile physiotherapy addresses this directly. A Physio to Home visit brings all assessment and treatment capability to your home — no travel, no waiting rooms, and a programme designed around your actual home environment. For arthritis patients, this has a specific clinical advantage: exercises are designed using your furniture, your garden, and your specific daily movements. The programme is immediately applicable to your real life.
Funding options for arthritis physiotherapy in North Tasmania
Medicare GP Management Plan: If your GP has documented arthritis as a chronic condition, you may be eligible for up to five Medicare-rebated physiotherapy sessions per year under a Team Care Arrangement.
My Aged Care Home Care Package: If you receive a Home Care Package at any level, physiotherapy for arthritis is a covered allied health service. Speak with your care coordinator.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): Entry-level support for older Australians who do not yet have a Home Care Package. Allied health services including physiotherapy are covered. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.
Private Health Insurance: Most extras policies cover physiotherapy. Home visits are covered by the majority of major Australian funds.
Private (self-funded): Private patients are welcome. Concession rates are available for healthcare card holders.
When to Seek a Physiotherapy Assessment for Arthritis
Not every person with arthritis needs ongoing physiotherapy — but a formal assessment is worthwhile in any of the following situations:
- Your arthritis pain is significantly affecting your ability to perform daily activities — walking, dressing, climbing stairs, gardening, or sleeping
- You have been told you may need a joint replacement and want to understand what prehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation involves
- Your arthritis pain has worsened in recent months without a clear reason
- You are currently managing arthritis with pain medication alone and want to explore non-pharmacological options
- You are concerned that arthritis is contributing to your risk of falling — joint pain and muscle weakness associated with arthritis are significant fall risk factors
- You have recently started a new exercise programme and are unsure whether your pain response is normal or a sign to modify your approach
Arthritis and fall risk
Arthritis of the hip, knee, or ankle significantly increases fall risk in older adults — through a combination of joint pain that alters gait, muscle weakness that reduces balance reactions, and reduced confidence in movement. If you have arthritis and are concerned about falls, our Falls Prevention series and Fall Risk Self-Assessment Checklist are directly relevant to you. A home physiotherapy assessment addresses both conditions in a single visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is exercise really safe if I have arthritis?
Yes — for the vast majority of people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, appropriately graded exercise is not only safe but is the most effective treatment available. The fear that exercise will 'wear out' a joint faster is not supported by evidence. In fact, regular movement maintains cartilage health, strengthens the muscles that protect joints, and reduces pain over time. The key is grading — starting at a level appropriate for your current pain and fitness, and progressing gradually under physiotherapy guidance.
My GP has told me I will eventually need a knee replacement. Should I still see a physiotherapist?
Absolutely — and sooner rather than later. Physiotherapy before a joint replacement (called prehabilitation) significantly improves post-surgical outcomes, reducing recovery time and improving function at 3 and 6 months post-operatively. Physiotherapy can also meaningfully reduce pain and improve function in the period before surgery, which may delay the need for the procedure. And following surgery, home-based rehabilitation is a core part of recovery. See our companion article: Hip Replacement Recovery Week by Week for a detailed guide to post-surgical physiotherapy.
How is arthritis physiotherapy different from just doing exercises I found online?
Generic online exercises are not tailored to your specific joint, pain level, stage of arthritis, or home environment. A physiotherapist assesses which muscles are weak and which are overloaded, identifies movement patterns that are contributing to your pain, and designs a programme that addresses your specific presentation. They also monitor your response and adjust the programme accordingly — something no online guide can do. For arthritis management, the difference between a well-designed physiotherapy programme and generic internet exercises is clinically significant.
Does weather affect arthritis — and is this real or imagined?
The relationship between weather and arthritis pain is real and supported by research, though the mechanism is not fully understood. Changes in atmospheric pressure, cold temperatures, and humidity are consistently associated with increased arthritis pain in clinical studies. Cold Tasmanian winters are a genuine factor for many of our patients. Physiotherapy helps by maintaining joint mobility and muscle strength throughout the year, reducing the amplitude of weather-related flare-ups even if it cannot eliminate them entirely.
Can physiotherapy help arthritis in the hands or spine — not just hips and knees?
Yes. Physiotherapy is effective for arthritis affecting any joint, including the cervical and lumbar spine, the hands and wrists, the shoulders, and the feet. Treatment approaches vary by joint — spinal arthritis involves different techniques to hand arthritis — but the evidence base for exercise and manual therapy applies across all arthritic joints. Contact us to discuss your specific presentation.
Managing Arthritis in North Tasmania? We Come to You.
You do not have to manage arthritis pain alone or accept it as inevitable. Physio to Home provides AHPRA-registered, evidence-based arthritis physiotherapy across North Tasmania — in your own home, funded through Medicare, My Aged Care, NDIS, and private health insurance.
Book a home arthritis assessment today — we cover all of North Tasmania →
About the Author — Michael Ghattas, DPT
AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | 18 Years Clinical Experience
Michael is the founder of Physio to Home, a mobile physiotherapy practice serving older adults and rural residents across North Tasmania. He specialises in chronic pain management, arthritis rehabilitation, falls prevention, and post-surgical care — all delivered in the home setting.
References & Further Reading
Arthritis Australia. Osteoarthritis — the facts. Arthritis Australia, Sydney, 2023.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Arthritis. Cat. no. PHE 257. AIHW, Canberra, 2023.
Fransen M, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, 2015.
Fransen M, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip. *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, 2014.
Australian Physiotherapy Association. Clinical guidelines: osteoarthritis management. APA, 2023.
My Aged Care. Home Care Packages Program. Commonwealth of Australia, 2025. www.myagedcare.gov.au
For Exercises: What Are the Best Exercises for Knee Osteoarthritis? | AlphaCare Physiotherapy Blog