our services:

Arthritis & Rheumatic
Conditions

Living with arthritis or a rheumatic condition can affect much more than your muscles and joints.
It may also impact your energy, sleep, and confidence with movement. Physiotherapy can help
you better understand your symptoms, improve strength and mobility, and build a realistic plan
to stay active safely.
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This service is designed for people living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic
arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis/axial spondyloarthritis, Sjögren’s disease, lupus, persistent joint
pain, stiffness, flare-ups, or reduced mobility.

boOk now why vancity physio

What to Expect During Your Assessment

Your first visit will include a detailed conversation about your symptoms, medical history, goals, current activity level, and how your condition affects daily life.

Where appropriate, your assessment may include:

posture assessment
range of motion testing
strength testing
balance and falls-risk screening
functional testing, such as sit-to-stand, stairs, or walking tolerance
review of fatigue, flare patterns, sleep, pacing, and activity tolerance
joint count assessment to identify painful, swollen, or tender joints
discussion of medications, recent imaging, bloodwork, or specialist recommendations, where relevant

The goal is to understand not only where you have pain, but how your condition affects your
whole body and day-to-day function.

Helpful to Know

Your appointment is designed to understand how your condition affects your daily movement, comfort, and activity tolerance.

There is no special preparation required, but bringing the items listed here can help your physiotherapist create a more complete plan.

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

It can also be helpful to bring:

a list of current medications
relevant imaging or bloodwork results, if available
notes from your rheumatologist, family doctor, or specialist
comfortable walking shoes and clothing that you can move in
a list of questions or goals you would like to discuss

What Treatment May Include

Your treatment plan will be individualized based on your condition, symptoms, and goals.
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It may include:

oint-specific mobility exercises
strength training
balance and falls-prevention exercises
pacing and energy conservation strategies
guidance for safe exercise during stable periods vs flare-ups
hands-on treatment where appropriate
return-to-activity or return-to-gym planning

For many people, the focus is not only managing symptoms, but improving confidence, independence, and long-term self-management.

What to Expect After Your Session

After your assessment or treatment session, you may feel more aware of your movement patterns and may notice temporary soreness, especially if new exercises were introduced.
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You will usually leave with:

a clear explanation of what was found
an individualized home exercise plan
practical strategies for symptom management
guidance on what to monitor after exercise
recommendations for activity pacing or progression
a plan for follow-up sessions, if needed

testimonials

Results that speak for themselves

VanCity Physio Arthritis & Rheumatic Conditions Success Stories

I came in with ongoing joint stiffness and flare-ups that were making daily activities harder than they used to be.

The team helped me understand what was contributing to my symptoms and gave me a clear plan that felt realistic. The exercises were manageable, and I felt more confident moving without constantly worrying about making things worse.

— M. Anderson

My arthritis symptoms were affecting my walking, sleep, and energy levels. I appreciated that the assessment looked at more than just the painful joint.

My physiotherapist helped me build strength, improve mobility, and learn how to pace my activity during flare-ups. I left each session with practical steps I could actually use at home.

— J. Patel