Southside Spine & Sport · Bicton
Arthritis Pain: What It Feels Like and What Can Help
Arthritic pain can make everyday things harder, from walking and gardening to opening a jar. Understanding the type of arthritis you have can help you choose sensible ways to manage symptoms and keep doing the things you enjoy.
What does arthritis pain feel like?
Arthritis pain may feel like a dull ache, tenderness or a sharper pain when you move or load a joint. You may also notice stiffness after resting, swelling or difficulty moving comfortably. These symptoms can have other causes, so pain alone cannot tell you whether you have arthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the whole joint, including its cartilage, bone and surrounding tissues. It commonly affects the hands, knees, hips and spine, causing pain, stiffness and changes in movement. It is more complex than simple “wear and tear”, and having osteoarthritis does not mean you should stop using your joints.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation, pain and swelling. It often affects joints on both sides of the body and can cause prolonged morning stiffness and fatigue. Early medical treatment helps control inflammation and reduce the risk of joint damage.
Should you exercise if you have arthritis?
Regular, appropriate exercise can help reduce arthritis pain and stiffness and maintain strength and movement. During a flare, you may need to reduce the load, change activities or briefly rest an affected joint rather than push through. The right balance depends on your type of arthritis and how your joints are responding.
What helps arthritis pain?
Arthritis pain can often be managed with a combination of suitable movement, strengthening, activity changes and, where appropriate, medicines or joint supports. The best approach depends on the type of arthritis, the affected joint and your symptoms. Osteoarthritis cannot currently be reversed, but symptoms and everyday function can improve.
How can you manage arthritis day to day?
Keep moving, with an amount that suits you
Start with manageable amounts of activity and build gradually. Walking, cycling, swimming and strengthening exercises are options, depending on which joints are affected.
For sore hands, gentle movements through a comfortable range can help you maintain mobility. You do not need to force a stiff joint or squeeze hard through pain.
Change the load when a joint is sore
Sometimes the answer is to adjust how you do something. Break a long gardening session into shorter blocks, use both hands to carry something, or choose tools with larger handles to reduce gripping effort.
If an activity repeatedly leaves you more sore or swollen, reduce its intensity or duration and ask for guidance. A flare may call for temporary changes rather than giving up the activity altogether.
Consider a support for specific tasks
A well-fitted splint can help some people with hand or thumb arthritis, particularly during painful tasks. A hand therapist can advise on the right support and when to wear it, while helping you maintain movement and strength.
Try simple measures for comfort
Gentle warmth may ease stiffness, while a wrapped cold pack may help a sore or swollen joint. Protect your skin and avoid extremes of temperature.
Ask your pharmacist or GP about suitable pain relief if you need it. The safest choice depends on your health, other medicines and the type of arthritis.
Look after your general health
Regular sleep, a balanced diet and staying active all support your health. If you carry extra weight, gradual weight loss can help reduce symptoms in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
Our approach
How do we help with arthritic pain at Southside?
We start by assessing the painful area, how it moves and what is making daily activities difficult. Where safe and appropriate, we begin treatment at the first visit and add advice, exercises or activity changes to suit your needs.
Hand osteoarthritis is one example. Pain around the base of the thumb or the finger joints can make gripping, turning keys and opening containers uncomfortable.
For selected patients, we use focused shockwave therapy at low intensities around the painful joints. These may include the thumb-base carpometacarpal joint and the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, which are the middle and end joints of the fingers.
In our clinical experience, some patients report less pain and find their hands easier to move and use. When gripping becomes less painful, they may also find their grip feels stronger and everyday tasks become easier.
The aim is symptom relief and better hand function. This treatment does not reverse arthritis, and responses vary between people.
We may combine treatment with gentle movement, strengthening, changes to painful tasks or advice about hand therapy and splinting. If you have rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition, medical management remains an essential part of your care.
When should you see your GP?
Arrange a medical assessment for unexplained joint pain or swelling, prolonged morning stiffness, or symptoms affecting several joints. These can be signs of inflammatory arthritis, where early treatment matters.
Seek urgent medical care for a suddenly hot, red, swollen joint, especially if you also have a fever or feel unwell. Do not assume this is a routine arthritis flare.
Need help with arthritic pain?
If joint pain is making daily activities harder, we can assess the problem and discuss options suited to you.
Southside Spine & Sport is in Bicton, Perth. Shockwave therapy is included in the normal consultation when clinically appropriate, with no separate shockwave fee.
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