Exercise Physiology for Arthritis
Safe, progressive exercise to ease pain, protect your joints and build the strength to keep doing what matters. We work with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms.
✓ No referral needed to book privately✓ Medicare rebates with a GP plan✓ Reports to your GP
Arthritis is common, and exercise is core treatment
Done well, exercise helps arthritis rather than harming it
Fear of making things worse is the most common reason people with arthritis avoid exercise. The question isn't whether to exercise, but what type, how much, and how to progress it safely. That's what we help with.
Exercise wears out your joints and makes arthritis worse.
Cartilage has no blood supply and relies on movement to stay nourished. Stronger muscles also take load off the joint. Appropriate exercise supports joint health.
You should rest until the pain settles.
Long periods of rest lead to muscle loss, stiffness and more pain. Gentle, graded movement is usually appropriate, adjusted to how your joints are on the day.
Any pain during exercise means stop.
Some discomfort during exercise can be normal and safe. We teach you how to tell acceptable discomfort from pain that means you should modify.
A program built around your joints and your goals
We start with a thorough assessment of your affected joints, pain, function, medications and what you want to be able to do, then build from where you are now.
Progressive strength
Building the muscles around your joints to improve stability, share the load and ease pain over time.
Joint mobility
Keeping and improving range of motion without provoking a flare.
Understanding pain
Learning how arthritis pain works, so you can respond to it with confidence rather than fear.
Flare plans
What to do during a flare, how to adjust your program, and how to get back on track.
Everyday function
Stairs, getting up from the floor, carrying shopping and staying active in your community.
Low-impact fitness
Heart health and healthy weight without high-impact loading that aggravates sore joints.
Balance and falls
Balance and stability work for older adults with arthritis who are at higher risk of falls.
Your doctors in the loop
Written reports to your GP or rheumatologist after reviews, so your care stays coordinated.
Different types, different programs
Each type of arthritis works differently, so the exercise prescription does too. We assess your specific condition before prescribing anything.
Osteoarthritis
Affects load-bearing joints like the knee and hip, as well as hands and shoulders. Progressive strength training and graded joint loading are the main tools.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Programs take into account disease activity, your medications and fatigue, alongside strength and mobility goals.
Psoriatic arthritis
Exercise supports joint function and helps with the fatigue and mood changes that often come with psoriatic disease.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Posture, spinal mobility and breathing exercises are central to managing stiffness and staying mobile.
Gout
Between flares, we build strength and heart health and help you manage your triggers, alongside your GP's treatment.
Other inflammatory arthritis
Including reactive arthritis and undifferentiated arthritis. We program for how your condition presents.
Wherever you are with your arthritis
From newly diagnosed to living with arthritis for decades, including people who've been told there's little more that can be done.
What to expect from start to finish
We assess before we prescribe, because everyone's joints, pain and goals are different.
Initial assessment
45 to 60 minutes covering your history, affected joints, pain, medications, strength, range of motion and goals.
Program design
A program for your joints and goals, with a clear explanation of what to expect during and after exercise.
Supervised sessions
We watch your pain response and adjust as you go. Your program is in our app with videos and notes for home.
Reviews and progress
Regular reviews, adapting to flares and changes, with reports to your GP or rheumatologist.
Ways to fund your arthritis program
We'll confirm your out-of-pocket cost before your first appointment, so there are no surprises.
GP chronic condition plan
If your GP is managing your arthritis under a chronic condition management plan and refers you, Medicare subsidises up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year.
How Medicare works →Extras cover
Many extras policies include Exercise Physiology. Check your policy for limits and rebates. No referral needed.
How private health works →Veteran Card holders
Gold Card holders are covered for clinically necessary treatment, and White Card holders for accepted conditions. A GP referral is needed.
How DVA works →Registered provider
Funded under Capacity Building where it links to your plan goals. All plan types welcome.
How NDIS works →Support at Home and CHSP
Aged care services can fund Exercise Physiology for eligible older Australians when it's in your care plan.
How aged care works →Book directly
No referral or GP visit needed. Book online and pay our standard fees.
See our fees →Arthritis program FAQs
Will exercise make my arthritis worse?
I'm in a flare. Can I still start?
Can you help before or after a joint replacement?
Do I need a referral?
Can I attend by telehealth?
Ready to move better with arthritis?
Start with one appointment and we'll build the plan from there.
The information on this page is general and doesn't replace individual advice from your doctor, rheumatologist or surgeon. Results vary from person to person.