World Arthritis Day, observed each year on October 12, highlights the impact of arthritis and the importance of raising awareness for those living with the condition
Living with Arthritis: Challenges Patients Face
Over 10 million people in the UK live with arthritis. Of those, approximately 5.4 million have knee osteoarthritis and 3.2 million have hip osteoarthritis. *
Living with arthritis can make everyday tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or even opening jars, painful and exhausting. Beyond the physical challenges, many people also struggle with fatigue, emotional stress, and the frustration of feeling limited in their independence.
Many arthritis sufferers are unaware of the full range of resources that could make daily life easier. Tailored physiotherapy, specialist exercise programs, and reliable information designed specifically for arthritis management can play a crucial role in easing pain, improving mobility, and maintaining independence. Yet, too often, these supports are either hard to access or not clearly signposted, leaving individuals to manage their symptoms without the tools that could make a real difference.
*Versus Arthritis
How Physiotherapy Supports Arthritis Pain Management
Physiotherapy is a key part of arthritis care, offering both immediate pain relief strategies and long-term support for joint health. By combining movement-based therapies, hands-on techniques, and education, physiotherapists help people manage stiffness, reduce discomfort, and improve flexibility.
More importantly, physiotherapy is highly individualised, designed to meet each person’s unique needs, abilities, and goals, so that managing arthritis becomes less about limitations and more about maintaining independence and quality of life.
Harry Holder, a Physiotherapist and Advanced Practitioner at The Horder Centre, said: “We run physiotherapy clinics and exercise classes, designed to help improve balance and general function, for our patients to excel in activities of daily living and their hobbies. We have a large team of qualified physiotherapists and exercise instructors who utilise our modern equipment and gyms to provide the best care for our patients.”
Exercise and Movement for Arthritis Relief
Regular, tailored exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce arthritis pain and maintain joint mobility. Physiotherapists guide people through safe movement routines that strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce stiffness, making everyday activities easier and less painful.
The following activities like stretching, strength training, low-impact aerobics, and water-based exercises can also help reduce stiffness, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles that support your joints:
- Gentle stretching: Helps maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness in joints.
- Strength training: Using light weights or resistance bands to strengthen muscles around affected joints.
- Low-impact aerobics: Activities like walking, cycling, or elliptical training to improve cardiovascular health without stressing joints.
- Water-based exercises (hydrotherapy): Swimming or water aerobics reduce joint strain while providing resistance for muscle strengthening.
- Balance and posture exercises: Yoga or tai chi can improve stability, coordination, and overall mobility.
Pain Management and Lifestyle Support
Beyond exercise, physiotherapists provide practical strategies for easing daily discomfort and protecting joint health. This may include advice on pacing activities, using supportive devices, improving posture, and adopting lifestyle habits that reduce strain, helping people manage arthritis in ways that fit their everyday lives.
Expert Arthritis Treatment and Resources at The Horder Centre
Living with arthritis can be challenging, but at The Horder Centre you don’t have to face it alone. Our friendly team of specialists and physiotherapists are here to support you with treatments and resources designed to ease pain, improve movement, and help you stay active.
Whether you need expert medical advice, tailored physiotherapy, or guidance on lifestyle changes that make everyday tasks easier, we’ll work with you to create a plan that suits your needs. With the right support, managing arthritis can feel less overwhelming and more empowering.
While many people with arthritis can manage their symptoms through physiotherapy, exercise, and lifestyle changes, there are times when surgery may be the best option. Surgery is usually considered if pain becomes severe, mobility is greatly reduced, or other treatments are no longer effective.
Procedures such as joint replacement can help restore movement, reduce pain, and improve quality of life. Deciding on surgery is always a personal choice, made in discussion with a consultant who can explain the benefits, risks, and what to expect during recovery.
Andrew Skyrme, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at The Horder Centre, said: “Everybody here at The Horder Centre is geared to your healthcare. That's not just the consultants. The nurses, the ancillary staff, the cleaners, the cooks, the man who works in the car park, everyone here is geared to your healthcare.”
Arthritis-Friendly Classes and Resources Available
Managing arthritis is easier with the right guidance and support, which is why The Horder Centre offers a range of arthritis-friendly classes and resources. From gentle exercise sessions designed to improve balance and flexibility, to group programs that encourage movement in a supportive environment, our services are tailored to help you stay active at your own pace.
We also provide practical advice and information to help you manage pain and protect your joints in daily life. These resources are here to give you confidence, keep you moving, and help you feel supported every step of the way.