Outline drawing of a person with X marks surrounding and on the body.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that can affect your joints, mobility, and daily life—but with the right physical therapy plan, you can stay active, strong, and in control. At Access Physical Therapy, we provide gentle, customized care to help manage symptoms, protect your joints, and improve function long term.

What It Is

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (synovium), leading to:

  • Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness

  • Fatigue and reduced endurance

  • Reduced grip strength or fine motor control

  • Long-term joint deformity if untreated

RA commonly affects the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles, and typically flares in cycles of inflammation followed by periods of relative calm.

What to Expect

Our approach to RA focuses on preserving joint mobility, reducing pain, and building strength without overloading inflamed tissues. Your therapy may include:

  • Gentle range of motion exercises to maintain flexibility

  • Joint protection strategies and energy conservation techniques

  • Strengthening of surrounding muscles to support the joints

  • Manual therapy to reduce stiffness and promote circulation

  • Adaptive tools and ergonomic recommendations for daily tasks

  • Low-impact aerobic activity to improve overall function

We also help you understand how to adjust your activity during flare-ups and maintain healthy movement during remission.

Who It’s For

  • Individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis

  • Adults with joint stiffness, swelling, or chronic fatigue

  • Patients seeking non-pharmacologic strategies to manage pain

  • People looking to stay active while reducing joint damage

  • Anyone interested in long-term joint preservation and functional independence

Why It Matters

Rheumatoid arthritis can be unpredictable—but your strength and mobility don’t have to be. With intentional physical therapy, you can manage flares more easily, slow joint damage, and maintain the freedom to do what matters most.

We’re here to help you protect your movement and stay ahead of your condition.