Exercise Physiology
for Arthritis
Movement is medicine for arthritis. Safe, progressive exercise reduces pain, protects joints and builds the strength that keeps you doing the things that matter. We work with all forms of arthritis, from osteoarthritis to rheumatoid and beyond.
Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed to start · Medicare rebates available
The Most Important Thing to Understand
Exercise does not make arthritis worse. Done correctly, it is one of the most effective treatments available.
The single most common reason people with arthritis avoid exercise is fear. Fear that movement will damage their joints further, accelerate wear and tear, or trigger a flare. That fear is understandable, but the evidence is clear in the opposite direction.
Progressive, well-designed exercise reduces pain, improves joint function, builds the muscle that protects cartilage, and maintains the mobility that keeps you independent. The clinical challenge is not whether to exercise. It is knowing what type, how much, and how to progress it safely. That is what we do.
What We Do
A program built around your joints, your inflammation and your goals
Every arthritis program at Beachside EP starts with a thorough assessment of your affected joints, your current pain and function, your medication regime, and what you want to be able to do. We prescribe exercise that meets you where you are right now and progresses you toward where you want to be.
Progressive strength trainingBuilding the muscle around affected joints reduces load on cartilage, improves stability and directly reduces pain over time.
Joint-specific range of motion workMaintaining and improving mobility in affected joints without provoking inflammation or triggering flares.
Pain science educationUnderstanding how pain works in arthritis changes how you respond to it. We explain the neuroscience of chronic pain and how exercise retrains the pain response over time.
Flare management strategiesWhat to do during a flare, how to modify your program, and how to return to full activity without losing ground.
Functional movement programmingExercise that translates directly to daily life, getting up from the floor, climbing stairs, carrying shopping and staying active in your community.
Low impact cardiovascular fitnessMaintaining heart health and healthy body weight without high-impact loading that provokes joint pain.
Falls preventionFor older adults with arthritis, reduced strength and proprioception increases falls risk. We address this directly with balance and stability work.
Coordination with your rheumatologist or GPWritten reports after every review keep your prescribing clinician informed and your care plan current.
Types of Arthritis We See
All forms of arthritis. One clinical approach.
The underlying mechanisms differ across arthritis types, which means the exercise prescription differs too. We assess your specific condition before prescribing anything.
Osteoarthritis
The most common form. Cartilage breakdown in load-bearing joints including knee, hip, shoulder and hand. Progressive resistance training and specific joint loading are the primary interventions.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune condition causing inflammatory joint damage. Exercise programming accounts for disease activity, medication regime and fatigue management alongside strength and mobility goals.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. Exercise helps manage inflammation, maintain joint function and address the fatigue and mood impact common in psoriatic disease.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine. Postural exercise, spinal mobility and breathing work are central to managing this condition and slowing the progression of stiffness.
Gout
Uric acid crystal deposition causing acute and chronic joint damage. Exercise programming between flares builds strength and cardiovascular health while managing flare triggers.
Other Inflammatory Arthritis
Including reactive arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis in adults, and undifferentiated arthritis. We assess and program for your specific presentation regardless of formal diagnosis.
Who We See
Wherever you are in your arthritis journey
We work with patients at every stage, from newly diagnosed and wanting to stay ahead of the condition, to long-term sufferers who have been told there is nothing more to be done. There is almost always more to be done.
A note on pain during exercise
We do not expect you to be pain-free before starting. Many of our arthritis patients come to us in significant pain. We begin where you are, use evidence-based pain science principles to guide your program, and progress at a pace your body can tolerate. Pain reduction is typically a result of the program, not a prerequisite for starting it.
Your Program
What to expect from your first appointment
We assess before we prescribe. Every arthritis program is individual because every patient's joint involvement, pain experience and goals are different.
Initial assessment
We review your arthritis history, affected joints, current pain levels, medication regime, recent investigations and what you want to achieve. We assess your current strength, range of motion and functional capacity. This takes 45 to 60 minutes and forms the foundation of everything that follows.
Program design
We design a program specific to your joint involvement, your pain science understanding and your functional goals. We explain what we are prescribing and why, including how each exercise affects your joints and what sensations are expected and acceptable during and after exercise.
Supervised sessions
We supervise your exercise, monitor your pain response and adjust loading in real time. Your program is delivered via our exercise app with videos, sets, reps and notes so you can exercise between sessions with confidence.
Regular reviews and progression
We review your program at regular intervals, progress loading as your capacity improves, and adapt to flares or changes in your condition. Written reports are sent to your GP or rheumatologist after every review.
Funding and Rebates
Multiple ways to fund your arthritis program
Arthritis qualifies as a chronic condition under Medicare's Chronic Disease Management pathway. In most cases your out-of-pocket cost per session is significantly reduced.
Medicare CDM Plan
Up to 5 subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year with an active Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP.
Private Health Insurance
Most extras policies cover Exercise Physiology. Check your policy for your annual limit and rebate amount.
DVA Gold and White Card
DVA Gold Card holders have all clinically necessary EP sessions covered with no gap fee.
NDIS
Exercise Physiology funded under Improved Health and Wellbeing for self-managed and plan-managed participants.
My Aged Care
Support at Home and CHSP packages can fund Exercise Physiology for eligible older Australians with arthritis.
Private
No referral needed. Book directly and pay privately. No GP visit required to get started.
Common Questions
Arthritis program FAQs
Will exercise make my arthritis worse?
No. The evidence consistently shows that appropriately prescribed progressive exercise reduces pain, improves joint function and slows functional decline in all major forms of arthritis. The key word is appropriately prescribed. A generic gym program or poorly progressed exercise can provoke symptoms. A clinically designed program accounts for your specific joint involvement, pain response and capacity. That is exactly what we provide.
I am currently in a flare. Can I still start?
Yes, in most cases. A flare does not mean you need to stop all movement. We will modify your program to work within your current pain and inflammation levels, focusing on gentle range of motion, low-load strengthening and education. Starting during a flare can actually accelerate recovery when the program is managed correctly.
I have had a joint replacement. Can you help with rehabilitation?
Yes. Post-surgical rehabilitation is one of the most common reasons people come to us. We work with your surgeon's protocol and build a progressive strengthening and functional program from there. We also see patients pre-surgery to build strength before the procedure, which significantly improves post-surgical outcomes.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can book directly and be seen privately without a referral. If you have a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP that includes Exercise Physiology, bring it to your first appointment and we will process your $61.80 rebate on the spot.
Can I attend via telehealth?
Yes. Many arthritis patients use telehealth for review appointments and program updates. Initial assessments often benefit from in-person attendance so we can properly assess your joints and movement, but we will advise you on the best option for your situation at the time of booking.
Ready to move better and hurt less?
Book your first appointment online or call us. No referral needed to start. We will meet you where you are and build from there.
Start Your Plan (Book Your First Appointment)Takes 60 seconds · No referral needed · Medicare rebates available