Specialist Home Treatment
Arthritis & Joint Pain Physiotherapy at Home
Living with arthritis or persistent joint pain can make even simple tasks feel exhausting. Our senior Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists work together in your own home to reduce pain, strengthen the muscles around affected joints, and help you stay active and independent.
How We Help with Arthritis
Strengthening Exercises
Build muscles around affected joints
Range of Movement
Prevent stiffness setting in
Pain Management
Heat, cold & pacing advice
Joint Protection
Gadgets & activity modification
Home Adaptations
Equipment to reduce strain
Understanding Arthritis & Joint Pain
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults in the UK, yet the impact it has on daily life is often underestimated. Osteoarthritis gradually wears down the cartilage that cushions your joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling — particularly in the hips, knees, hands, and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, can cause inflammation and damage across multiple joints.
For many people, the pain leads to a cycle that is difficult to break alone. Joints hurt, so you move less. Moving less weakens the muscles that support the joints, which increases stiffness and makes pain worse. Over time, confidence drops and everyday activities — getting out of a chair, walking to the shops, climbing the stairs — become harder than they need to be.
Specialist home physio for arthritis helps you break that cycle safely. With the right guidance, gentle and consistent movement actually reduces pain and improves joint function over time.
How Our Team Helps with Arthritis at Home
By combining physiotherapy (movement and strength) with occupational therapy (daily living skills), we treat the whole person — not just the diagnosis.
Physiotherapy: Building Strength Around the Joint
Our Physiotherapists focus on building the strength and mobility around arthritic joints so the muscles take more of the load, relieving pressure on the joint itself.
- Strengthening exercises — gentle, progressive programmes targeting the muscles around affected joints (quadriceps for knees, glutes for hips, grip strength for hands)
- Range of movement work — stretches and mobility exercises to prevent stiffness from setting in
- Balance and stability training — stiff, painful joints increase the risk of falls, so balance work is an important part of treatment
- Pain management advice — guidance on when to use heat or cold, how to pace your day, and how to stay active without overdoing it
- Manual therapy — hands-on techniques to ease stiffness and improve joint movement where appropriate
Each programme is tailored to your current pain levels and adjusted as you progress. Sessions take place in your home, so exercises are practised in the exact environment where you need them most.
Occupational Therapy: Protecting the Joint
While physiotherapy builds the strength around the joint, our Occupational Therapists focus on "joint protection" — practical strategies to help you carry on with daily life without placing unnecessary strain on painful joints.
- Gadgets and equipment — from jar openers and tap turners to button hooks and long-handled reachers, small tools can make a significant difference to arthritic hands and stiff joints
- Pacing and energy management — learning to balance activity and rest so you can get through the day without triggering a flare-up
- Home assessment — identifying changes that reduce strain, such as a perching stool for the kitchen, a raised toilet seat, or grab rails in the bathroom
- Activity modification — practical advice on how to carry out everyday tasks (cooking, dressing, gardening) in ways that protect your joints
- Splinting advice — guidance on wrist or hand splints where appropriate to support inflamed joints
Why Home-Based Therapy for Arthritis?
If your knees are stiff or your back is painful, sitting in a car to travel to a clinic can be the worst part of the day. By the time you arrive, you are sore and tense — hardly the best starting point for therapy.
Home-based arthritis physiotherapy removes that barrier entirely. Your therapist sees you in your own environment, which means they can assess the chair you sit in for hours, watch how you manage your stairs, and check whether your kitchen is set up in a way that protects your joints. This real-world insight leads to more practical, more effective treatment.
For family members arranging care for a parent, home visits also mean no need to coordinate lifts or wait in reception areas. No travel. No waiting rooms. Just expert care in your most comfortable chair.
What to Expect
Your first home visit begins with a thorough assessment. Your therapist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and the activities you are finding difficult. They will observe how you move around your home and carry out a hands-on assessment of the affected joints.
From this, you will receive a personalised treatment plan. Most clients benefit from weekly or fortnightly visits initially, with the frequency reducing as you build confidence and independence with your exercise programme. Progress is measured against your personal goals — whether that is walking to the local shops, getting in and out of the bath, or returning to gardening.
Your therapist will communicate with family members or carers (with your permission) to ensure everyone understands the plan.
Pricing
Home visit physiotherapy and occupational therapy for arthritis starts from £60 per session. Every session is delivered by a senior, HCPC-registered therapist in your own home. The first 5 miles of travel are free.
£120
Initial Assessment
60-90 minutes
£60
30-min Follow-up
Focused treatment
£90
45-min Follow-up
Extended session
"During what has been a terrible time for our family with Covid and losing our Mum, our therapist has been fantastic in her care for my Dad. Always patient and caring and her knowledge of her profession is second to none. Dad was almost doubled over with sciatica and pain in his legs but her gentle exercise suggestions have been fantastic. He's now free of pain and at 86 years old, how many people can say that?!"
Nigel Humphriss
Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis
Will exercise make my arthritis worse?
This is one of the most common concerns we hear. The evidence is clear: gentle, controlled exercise actually helps arthritic joints. Strengthening the muscles around the joint reduces the load on the bone and cartilage, often leading to less pain over time. Your therapist will design a programme that is safe and appropriate for your current condition.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can contact us directly to arrange a home visit. We will liaise with your GP if needed as part of your care.
Can you help during a flare-up?
Yes. When arthritis flares up, complete rest can sometimes make things worse. We can guide you on the right balance of rest and gentle movement to get you through a bad patch, and adjust your programme accordingly.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies depending on the severity of your condition and your goals. Some clients see significant improvement within 4—6 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We will discuss a realistic plan during your first assessment.
Which areas do you cover?
We provide home visits across Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. This includes Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Ringwood, and the surrounding towns and villages.
Ready to Get Moving Again?
You do not have to just put up with joint pain. Our senior therapists can help you manage arthritis, reduce stiffness, and get back to the activities you enjoy — all from the comfort of your own home.