Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common and often misunderstood causes of joint pain, but it doesn’t have to mean inevitable decline or something you simply live with.


At RedGen, evidence-based physiotherapy focuses on the right assessment, movement strategy, and structured loading plan to help reduce pain, improve function, and support long-term mobility - allowing many people to stay active for years.

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What osteoarthritis is

Osteoarthritis involves changes to joint structures over time, including:


  1. cartilage thinning
  2. changes in bone density
  3. altered joint mechanics
  4. surrounding muscle weakness or inhibition


Pain does not directly correlate with how severe osteoarthritis looks on scans.


Many people with significant structural changes have minimal pain, while others with milder imaging findings may experience more symptoms.


Pain is often influenced by:


  1. joint loading
  2. movement patterns
  3. muscle strength
  4. inflammation
  5. nervous system sensitivity
  6. confidence in movement


This is why physiotherapy plays such a central role in osteoarthritis management.


Where osteoarthritis is commonly felt

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects:


  1. knees
  2. hips
  3. spine
  4. hands and fingers
  5. shoulders


Symptoms may include:


  1. joint stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
  2. aching or deep joint pain
  3. pain during or after activity
  4. reduced confidence loading the joint
  5. flare-ups with increased activity

Common contributors to osteoarthritis pain

While structural changes are part of osteoarthritis, pain is often driven by:


  1. reduced muscle strength around the joint
  2. loss of joint range or movement variability
  3. fear of movement or avoidance
  4. sudden increases or decreases in activity
  5. long periods of inactivity
  6. previous injury or surgery
  7. flare-ups of local inflammation


Understanding your contributors is key to improving symptoms.


The RedGen approach to osteoarthritis

Treatment follows the RedGen 4-Step Rehabilitation Framework: Assess, Relieve, Restore and Optimise.


Your rehabilitation may include:


  1. hands-on physiotherapy and joint mobilisation
  2. soft tissue work to reduce protective tension
  3. acupuncture where appropriate
  4. Class IV laser therapy when clinically indicated
  5. RedGen Prime™ full-body photobiomodulation to assist inflammation
  6. regulation and recovery where appropriate
  7. exercise rehabilitation matched to tolerance and long-term goals


The goal is not rest — it is controlled, confident movement.

When to seek treatment

Physiotherapy can help if:


  1. pain is limiting activity or confidence
  2. flare-ups are becoming more frequent
  3. you’ve stopped doing things you enjoy
  4. you want to delay or avoid surgery
  5. you want clarity on how to exercise safely


Osteoarthritis does not mean stopping. It means training smarter.


Book a Physiotherapy Assessment if join pain is affecting your movement or quality of life, a structured plan can make a meaningful difference.

Book an Assessment