Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis causes joint stiffness, aching and reduced movement. We ease the stiffness and strengthen the muscles supporting your joints, helping you stay active and comfortable for as long as possible at our Marple clinic.
Understanding Your Condition
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis — a gradual wear and thinning of the protective cartilage in a joint. It can affect any joint but most commonly the knees, hips, hands and spine, causing stiffness, aching and reduced movement. It's very common as we get older, and it responds much better to the right management than many people expect.
At Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple, we help people with osteoarthritis stay active, comfortable and independent. We ease the stiffness with hands-on treatment and, most importantly, build the strength and mobility that supports your joints and reduces pain — often delaying or avoiding the need for surgery.
What You Feel
- Joint stiffness, particularly in the morning
- Aching that worsens with activity or by the end of the day
- Reduced range of movement in the affected joint
- Swelling or a feeling of fullness in the joint
- A grinding or crunching sensation with movement
- Pain that eases with rest then returns with activity
- Weakness or a feeling the joint may 'give way'
- Discomfort in cold or damp weather
Common Causes
- Age-related wear and thinning of joint cartilage
- Previous joint injury earlier in life
- Repetitive loading over many years in work or sport
- Being overweight, increasing load on the joints
- Genetic factors affecting joint shape and resilience
- Weakness in the muscles supporting the joints
- Joint alignment factors such as bow legs or knock knees
- Reduced activity leading to joint stiffness
Who Physiotherapy Can Help
Osteoarthritis typically affects adults from their 50s onwards, though it can appear earlier after injury. We help people with arthritis in any joint — most commonly knees, hips, hands and spine — at every stage, from early stiffness to more advanced wear. If you're keen to stay active, delay surgery and manage your symptoms well, physiotherapy makes a real difference.
We also support people preparing for or recovering from joint replacement surgery, building strength before and rebuilding it afterwards.
Struggling with Osteoarthritis?
Book your assessment today. We'll find the root cause and start hands-on treatment in your first session.
Your Assessment
Your assessment grades your arthritis and its impact on your movement and life. We assess your affected joint's range of movement, strength, the way you move and the specific activities that are difficult, and screen for other contributing problems.
Understanding how arthritis affects you specifically — not just the X-ray findings — is what shapes an effective plan. We'll explain your condition clearly and build a programme to keep you moving well for as long as possible.
How We Treat It
Our hands-on treatment approach:
- Assessment to grade your arthritis and its impact
- Hands-on mobilisation to ease stiffness and improve movement
- Targeted strengthening of the muscles supporting the joint
- Mobility and flexibility exercises to maintain range
- Advice on activity pacing, weight management and joint care
- Ongoing support to keep you active and manage flare-ups
Expected Recovery
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, so 'recovery' means managing it well rather than curing it. With consistent strengthening and mobility work, most people see a significant reduction in pain and stiffness within 6–8 weeks and maintain that improvement with an ongoing routine.
Strong muscles are the best support an arthritic joint can have — they absorb load and protect the joint. We give you a sustainable maintenance plan to keep your joints strong and comfortable long-term, and we're here to support you through flare-ups.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
No GP referral needed. Direct access appointments available — often same-day or within a few days.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute comprehensive assessment. We start by listening — understanding your symptoms, your history, and what you want to get back to. We then carry out a thorough hands-on physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem. You'll receive a clear explanation of what's going on, a personalised treatment plan, and hands-on treatment begins in that very first session. You leave knowing exactly what's wrong, what we'll do about it, and how long recovery will take.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area we're treating. For knee, hip, or leg problems, shorts are ideal. For shoulder, neck, or back issues, a loose top or vest works well. You'll never be asked to undress beyond what's necessary for examination and treatment, and you'll always be treated with dignity and respect in our private treatment room.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your goals. Many patients feel significant improvement within 3–6 sessions. Acute injuries often resolve faster, while long-standing or complex conditions may need more. We'll give you a clear treatment timeline at your first appointment — and we only ever recommend sessions you genuinely need. Our goal is to get you independent and pain-free as quickly as possible, not to keep you coming back.
Can I Claim Through Insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by most major health insurance providers including AXA, Vitality, Bupa, WPA, and Healix. We can bill your insurer directly so you don't need to pay upfront — simply bring your insurance authorisation number to your appointment. If you're not sure whether you're covered, call us and we'll help you check before you book.
Treated by a Qualified, Experienced Professional
Rob Wood
Head Physio & Clinic Owner
Meet Rob, founder of Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple.
Osteoarthritis Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Complete Recovery Physiotherapy?
Stay Active, Delay Surgery
Strong muscles protect an arthritic joint. We build the strength and mobility that reduce pain and often delay or avoid the need for surgery.
Hands-On for Stiffness
Gentle joint mobilisation eases the stiffness of arthritis, making movement easier and more comfortable alongside your strengthening work.
We Treat You, Not the Scan
X-ray findings don't always match pain. We treat your symptoms, your movement and your goals — not just an image of your joint.
Sustainable Maintenance
Arthritis is long-term, so we give you a realistic routine you can keep up, keeping your joints strong and comfortable for years.
Flare-Up Support
Arthritis has good and bad periods. We're here through the flare-ups, adjusting your plan to keep you comfortable and moving.
Free Parking in Marple
Easy, accessible visits at Bowden Hall with free parking right outside — important when your joints make getting about harder.
Related Conditions We Treat
Knee Arthritis
Knee arthritis causes stiffness, aching and reduced movement that worsens over time. We ease the stiffness and strengthen the muscles supporting your knee, helping you stay active and comfortable for as long as possible at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreHip Arthritis
Hip arthritis causes stiffness, aching and reduced movement that worsens over time. We ease the stiffness and strengthen the muscles supporting your hip, helping you stay active and comfortable for as long as possible at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreFrozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder causes progressive stiffness and pain that severely limits arm movement. We guide you through each phase — freezing, frozen and thawing — with hands-on mobilisation and targeted exercises to restore movement at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Knee Pain
Knee pain can come from the joint, tendons, ligaments or cartilage — and the right treatment depends on the exact source. We assess precisely and rebuild strong, pain-free knee movement at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreRelated Services
Physiotherapy
At Complete Recovery Physio, everything we do is built around high-quality physiotherapy. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to move more freely, we're here to support you.
Learn More
Physiotherapy for Older Adults
Physiotherapy for older adults is gentle, patient-led care focused on keeping you mobile, steady and independent — easing joint pain, improving balance and strength, and reducing the risk of falls at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercise rehabilitation is the structured, progressive programme that rebuilds your strength, movement and confidence after injury or surgery — turning short-term relief into lasting recovery, guided by physiotherapists at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreDon't Let Pain Hold You Back
Expert, hands-on physiotherapy in Marple. Free parking. Same-day and short-notice appointments often available.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life. Free parking at our Marple clinic.