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Arthritis Treatment
on the Sunshine Coast
Stiff, aching joints aren't something you should have to put up with. Whether you've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, or you're still searching for answers, our experienced doctors can help.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis covers many conditions that cause joint pain, stiffness and reduced movement. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA), where cartilage wears down and leads to progressive joint damage, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune, inflammatory condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining.
Autoimmune forms are typically overseen by a rheumatologist, but chiropractic care can support pain relief and ongoing pain management alongside medical treatment.
Arthritis affects roughly one in seven Australians. At our Sunshine Coast clinics, we often see osteoarthritis in the hips, knees, hands and spine, especially in adults over 50.
Osteoarthritis can develop when cartilage wears down over time due to age, repetitive load, previous injury, excess body weight or genetic predisposition. Weak muscles, poor ergonomics and long sitting periods can make symptoms worse.
Chiropractic care is one of the most effective conservative approaches to managing arthritis, especially osteoarthritis.
Managing arthritis with hands-on care
Our chiropractors take the time to understand how the condition is affecting your joints, your movement and your daily life, then build a treatment plan around that picture. Depending on your presentation, care may involve:
- Joint mobilisation and adjustments to help stiff, painful joints move more freely and reduce excess strain.
- Soft tissue therapy to ease tight, protective muscles around arthritic joints, helping reduce pain and improve movement.
- Dry needling to target deeper trigger points around affected joints that may be harder to reach by hand.
- Tailored exercise programming to build strength, stability and endurance for better long-term joint support.
- Lifestyle and ergonomic advice covering movement habits, daily routines and load management at home and work.
- Heat and cold therapy guidance to help manage flare-ups and stiffness between visits.
Your path to arthritis relief
Assessment
We start by building a picture of your arthritis: what type it is, which joints are affected, how long symptoms have been present, what aggravates them and any scans or reports you have. Your chiropractor assesses mobility, muscle function and movement patterns.
Treatment
Your care plan is guided by what we find, not a generic protocol. Treatment may combine joint mobilisation, adjustments, soft tissue therapy and dry needling to ease tension and improve motion. We tailor to your arthritis and liaise with your GP.
Ongoing support
Managing arthritis is ongoing, not a one-off fix. We track your progress, adjust your plan as you improve and equip you with targeted exercises, movement strategies and practical advice so your joints stay mobile and comfortable between visits.
Why choose our team?
We are a multidisciplinary team of experienced chiropractors, with both female and male doctors available.
We love what we do and care deeply about our patients' wellbeing and happiness, some of which have been coming to us for decades.
We have two clinics, located in the heart of Alexandra Headland and Coolum Beach, open Monday to Saturday.
We are Bupa and Medibank preferred providers. We also accept Eftpos, Medicare, DVA and EPC.
Your questions, answered
We mainly treat with patients who have osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. It happens when joint cartilage gradually wears down. We can also help support and manage patients with rheumatoid arthritis using gentle, carefully coordinated techniques. We also often see ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA) in our clinics.
In many cases, yes, especially in the early to moderate stages. Regular movement, maintaining a healthy weight, injury prevention and stress management can all help.
Our chiropractors focus on conservative, hands-on care to reduce pain and improve function. Surgery is usually only considered once these options have been exhausted.
Many people notice improvements within the first few sessions. Your timeline depends on the type and severity of your arthritis, which joints are affected and how long you have had symptoms.
With the right mix of hands-on treatment, exercise and lifestyle changes, many people achieve lasting relief. Ongoing maintenance care can help you manage symptoms over time and reduce flare-ups.
Yes. Chiropractic care can work well alongside physiotherapy, massage, GP management and rheumatology specialty care. We take a collaborative approach and can coordinate with your other healthcare providers.
Yes. Dry needling targets trigger points: tight, painful bands of muscle that can add to joint pain. A 2022 systematic review of seven studies found that dry needling improved pain intensity and physical function for osteoarthritis patients. It works best as part of a broader treatment plan, rather than on its own.
Our chiropractors use gentle, targeted techniques suited to your sensitivity and comfort level. Most people find treatment comfortable, and many feel less joint stiffness and muscle tension during or after a session.
Some people experience mild, temporary soreness after their first adjustment. Serious side effects are very rare and will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.
Both can help, but they work in different ways. Cold therapy reduces inflammation and numbs pain, so it is often best during flare-ups or when a joint feels hot and swollen. Heat therapy relaxes muscles, increases blood flow and eases joint stiffness, so it is often better for chronic aching and morning stiffness. Using heat before activity and cold afterwards is a common approach.
Sessions usually last 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the areas being treated and whether we include extra therapies such as dry needling.
This depends on your diagnosis and how you respond to treatment. Some people find significant relief in 4 to 6 sessions, while others benefit from a longer course of care.
At first, we may recommend weekly visits. As your symptoms improve, we will reduce the frequency to suit your ongoing needs.
No referral is needed. If you have existing X-rays or MRI results, bring them with you if you can, but they are not required. We can assess your condition from scratch and recommend imaging if needed.
Yes. Exercise is recommended as a core part of arthritis management. A balanced programme with range-of-motion exercises, strength training and low-impact aerobic activity such as walking, cycling or swimming is the best-supported approach.
Our chiropractors can guide you on the right exercises for your condition. The key is consistency over intensity: regular, moderate movement is usually better than occasional vigorous effort.
Don't let arthritis keep you on the side-lines.
Call our friendly staff to book your appointment and start moving more freely.
