Arthritis physio in Manchester
Ease your joint pain, get stronger and keep doing what you love, with an exercise plan built around your arthritis.
Arthritis treatment and exercise in Manchester city centre
Reviewed by Nick Chatziviltsos, PgDip, HCPC-registered physiotherapist (PH114351), November 2026
At a glance
Who it's for: people with knee or hip osteoarthritis, people with rheumatoid arthritis, and people before or after a joint replacement.
What we do: strength and movement tests, hands-on treatment, and a progressive exercise plan you can keep doing for life.
What helps most: regular exercise, strength work and, if you're overweight, losing some weight.
What to expect: arthritis can't be cured, but it doesn't always get worse. Many people find their pain eases with the right exercise.
Get urgent help: a sudden hot, red, swollen joint with a high temperature: get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 the same day.
Arthritis means pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in your joints. The NHS says osteoarthritis is the most common type in the UK. It most often affects the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.
It's easy to think that a painful joint needs rest. In fact, the NHS recommends regular exercise as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. Stronger muscles take load off your joints, and moving keeps them working.
We're inside F45 NQ, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station. So you can build strength safely on a real gym floor, with a physio beside you, at a level that suits you.
🛠️ How we treat arthritis
Step 1. Find out why it hurts
We look at how your joints move, how strong your muscles are and what you find hard day to day. We check for signs of inflammatory arthritis that need your GP. We show you on a 3D anatomy model what's going on, and what arthritis does and doesn't mean.
Step 2. Settle it down and keep you moving
We help you calm a flare without stopping everything. Treatment may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue work and IASTM, a tool-assisted soft tissue technique. You'll get gentle early exercises from your custom rehab plan, plus a flare-up plan.
Step 3. Build you back stronger
We build leg, hip and core strength on the F45 NQ gym floor, starting where you are. We progress it steadily, so you can walk further, climb stairs and get back to your sport or hobbies.
Arthritis stopping you walking, training or sleeping? Your first 60-minute session includes treatment and a plan. Book your assessment →
👥 Who our arthritis physio is for
People with knee or hip osteoarthritis who want to walk further, climb stairs and sleep better.
Active people with arthritis who want to keep running, cycling, playing golf or lifting.
People with rheumatoid arthritis who want to get stronger and fitter while their condition is settled.
People waiting for a joint replacement who want to get as strong as possible first.
People after a hip or knee replacement. See pre and post-op rehab.
People who've been told to "just live with it" and want a plan instead.
⚠️ Common joint symptoms
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. If anything under "When joint pain needs urgent help" sounds like you, follow that advice first.
Knee or hip pain that builds with activity, and stiffness that eases within 30 minutes: it might be osteoarthritis.
A grating or crackling feeling when you move the joint, often over 45: it might be osteoarthritis.
Swollen, painful joints in your hands, wrists or feet, with morning stiffness over 30 minutes: it might be an inflammatory arthritis. See your GP first, then read about rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, with stiffness, weakness or low fitness holding you back: see rheumatoid arthritis physio.
Arthritis bad enough that you're on a waiting list for surgery: see joint replacement rehab, such as hip replacement recovery.
Knee pain after a twist, or hip pain on the outside when you lie on it: it might be something other than arthritis. See knee pain or hip pain.
🧪 What happens at your first appointment
Your first session lasts 60 minutes, so treatment starts the same day.
Your story. Which joints hurt, what you find hard, any diagnosis or medicines, and your goals.
Safety screen. We check for signs of inflammatory arthritis, infection or a blood clot.
Physical exam. Joint movement, muscle strength, balance and simple tests like sit-to-stand.
Your diagnosis. In plain English, using our 3D anatomy model.
Treatment. Hands-on work and your first exercises, the start of a rehab plan built for you.
Your plan. What to keep doing, how to manage flares, and how many sessions we expect.
We don't offer scans or injections. You don't usually need an X-ray to diagnose osteoarthritis. If you need one, or an injection, we'll write to your GP.
💷 Arthritis physio prices
First appointment. 60-minute assessment and treatment: £95.
Follow-up, 30 minutes. £55.
Follow-up, 60 minutes. £95.
Free consultation, 15 minutes. Free.
We work with Bupa, WPA, Vitality and Aviva. Check your cover with your insurer before you book. If getting into town is hard, we also offer home visits and online physiotherapy.
⏱️ What to expect
Arthritis can't be cured, but it doesn't always get worse. The NHS says osteoarthritis can sometimes improve. Many people find their pain eases with the right exercise.
✅ Arthritis conditions we treat
Pick the one that sounds most like you to read more. Not sure which one you have? That's what your first appointment is for.
Knee and hip osteoarthritis: aching, stiff knees or hips, worse after activity or first thing, that ease as you warm up
Rheumatoid arthritis: exercise and strength to stay mobile alongside your medical care
Hip replacement recovery: rehab before and after a hip replacement, to walk, climb stairs and get active again
Knee replacement recovery: rehab before and after a knee replacement, to bend, walk and climb stairs again
❓ Arthritis FAQs
🚨 When joint pain needs urgent help
Arthritis isn't usually an emergency. But some symptoms need help fast. Don't wait for a physio appointment if you have any of these.
See your GP: swollen, painful joints and morning stiffness over 30 minutes, with no diagnosis yet (see your GP promptly); pain getting rapidly worse, unexplained weight loss, or night pain that doesn't ease in any position.
Call your GP urgently or 111: a sudden hot, red, swollen joint that's very painful to move, especially with a high temperature or if your medicines lower your immunity (get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 the same day); calf pain and swelling in one leg, with warm or darkened skin; new neck pain with pins and needles, numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, if you have rheumatoid arthritis (get urgent advice the same day: call 111 or your rheumatology team).
Call 999 or go to A&E: leg swelling with chest pain, or sudden trouble breathing (call 999 or go to A&E); you can't put weight on the leg after a fall (go to A&E).
Not sure if exercise is safe for your joints? Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly. Book a free call →
-
Yes, for most people. The NHS recommends regular exercise as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. We'll start at the right level for you.
-
No. The right exercise strengthens the muscles that support your joints. Some aching after exercise is normal and usually settles.
-
It can't promise that. But many people manage well with exercise, and a stronger body helps you recover if you do have surgery.
-
No. The NHS says it doesn't necessarily get worse, and it can sometimes improve.
-
Yes. The NHS lists physiotherapy as part of the care that helps keep you mobile, alongside your medicines.
-
Usually, yes, but gently. We'll give you a flare-up plan so you know what to do.
-
If you're overweight, losing weight reduces the strain on your knees and hips.
-
Usually not. Osteoarthritis is mostly diagnosed from your symptoms and an exam. If you need one, we write to your GP.
-
Yes. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether physio is the right next step.
📍 Book arthritis physio in Manchester city centre
Athos Physio is inside F45 NQ, 77 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2BU, a two-minute walk from Piccadilly station and Piccadilly Gardens. We're open 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, so you can come before or after work.
First appointment £95 for 60 minutes. Insured with Bupa, WPA, Vitality or Aviva? Check your cover first.
Call or WhatsApp 07475 433300, or book online.
Other services: Physiotherapy and active rehab · Sports massage · Pregnancy and postnatal physio · Home visits · Online physio
Written by Nick Chatziviltsos, physiotherapist and founder of Athos Physio, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, HCPC registered. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Insurance providers we are affiliated with
Athos Physio is a full-service physiotherapy clinic
We offer injury rehabilitation, post-surgery functional strengthening, deep tissue massage and pain relief, and strength training expertise. We support you in becoming pain-free so that you can achieve a limitless life experience. If you want to speak with us before booking a session you reach out via WhatsApp, call us or email us.
We are based in Manchester city centre a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly train station and Piccadilly Gardens Square