Five Myths about Arthritis Pain (And One That Might Be True)
Five Myths about Arthritis Pain (And One That Might Be True)

Five Myths about Arthritis Pain (And One That Might Be True)


May 2026

Arthritis is a common condition affecting about 20% of the US population. Despite this fact — or perhaps because of it — myths and misconceptions surrounding arthritis abound. Unfortunately, many of these myths can contribute to more pain and a decreased quality of life for people struggling with the condition.

At Therapy Fit Physical Therapy, we want to help dispel some of these myths. By understanding the intricacies of arthritis, you can better manage your symptoms and live a full, active life. 

Keep reading to find out some surprising facts about arthritis. And if you’d like to learn more about the role of physical therapy in arthritis management, call our clinic to schedule an appointment today!

Myth 1: There’s Only One Type of Arthritis

We often talk about arthritis as if it’s one condition, but the word actually refers to over 100 distinct conditions, all of which cause inflammation in the joints. The most common type of arthritis worldwide is osteoarthritis, a degenerative form primarily affecting older people. Because it’s so common, people sometimes use “arthritis” and “osteoarthritis” interchangeably, but they are two distinct terms.

It’s important to recognize the different types of arthritis because they can cause slightly different symptoms and complications. For example, rheumatoid arthritis (the second most common form of arthritis) is an autoimmune condition that can cause fatigue and fever alongside painful joints.

Myth 2: All Joint Pain is Some Type of Arthritis

Actually, there are many reasons why someone might experience joint pain. Overuse injuries, ligament tears, and bursitis can all trigger pain and restricted mobility in your joints.

If you’re struggling with persistent pain in a joint, your best bet is to schedule an appointment at Therapy Fit Physical Therapy. Our physical therapists will perform a comprehensive assessment and can let you know for certain what’s causing your symptoms.

Myth 3: Arthritis Pain is a Normal Part of Aging

Because the most common form of arthritis primarily affects older people, many assume that arthritis pain is an inevitable part of growing older. In reality, 53% of adults aged 65 or older haven’t been diagnosed with arthritis. Even among people 80 or older, around 43% don’t have a diagnosis.

Age is certainly connected to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, but you have options for preventing its development. Furthermore, developing arthritis doesn’t necessarily mean you have to suffer.

Myth 4: There’s Nothing You Can Do About Arthritis Pain

Along with Myth #5, this is one of the biggest myths out there. While it’s true the most common types of arthritis have no cure, you can manage your symptoms and delay the condition’s progression — all without surgery, too!

Physical therapy is one of your options. We can help you manage your pain through manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. Diet also plays a role; eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains can help minimize joint inflammation.

Myth 5: You Shouldn’t Exercise If You Have Arthritis

Of all the arthritis myths, this is probably the one that has done the most damage. While it might seem logical on the surface, especially if you have osteoarthritis, exercise and movement actually protect you against arthritis pain! 

Staying active can help prevent arthritis from developing in the first place. But if you’ve already developed the condition, regular physical activity is essential in reducing your pain and mobility restrictions. 

The key is to ensure you perform low-impact activities that don’t put too much stress on your joints. The team at Therapy Fit Physical Therapy can help you find the right exercise program to suit your needs.

Myth 6: Weather Changes Cause Arthritis Pain

Surprisingly, this myth might have some truth to it. While weather doesn’t cause arthritis pain, studies show that some rheumatoid arthritis patients experience slightly increased symptoms in cooler weather. 

Separate Truth From Fiction with Therapy Fit Physical Therapy

Our team is here to help you manage your arthritis pain. We’ll let you know what works, what doesn’t, and help you find a customized solution that meets your needs.

Call to make your appointment today!.

Sources: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10067-021-05735-2, https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htm, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8519272/ 

Exciting News – Our New West Frisco Clinic is Open!

We’re thrilled to announce that Therapy Fit has officially opened a brand-new location in West Frisco, TX! This expansion allows us to serve even more patients with the same exceptional, evidence-based care you’ve come to expect from our team.

📍 New Address:
400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Unit 803
Frisco, TX 75036

📞 Phone: 972-845-4739 | Fax: 972-861-5156
📧 Email: therapyfit.wf@gmail.com
Hours: Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

We celebrated our Grand Opening on August 18, and our doors are now open to welcome you and your loved ones!

What We Treat

Our West Frisco clinic specializes in helping patients recover from:

  • Auto Accident Injuries
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Back & Neck Pain

Our Evidence-Based Services

  • Manual Therapy
  • Hands-On Joint Mobilization
  • Functional Mobilization Techniques

Whether you’re looking to restore mobility, relieve pain, or prevent future injuries, our expert team is here to help you move better and live stronger.

Ready to schedule your appointment? Call us today at 972-845-4739 and experience the Therapy Fit difference at our new West Frisco location!

Working Out With Arthritis: Tips from Our PTs

Now that you know skipping physical activity can worsen arthritis symptoms, you’re probably wondering how to keep moving safely. Don’t worry: the team at Therapy Fit Physical Therapy is here to help!

Your first step is to schedule an appointment with us. It’s essential that you have a clear idea about which activities you can safely participate in without putting too much pressure on your joints. We can also work with you to strengthen any muscular imbalances and generally get you ready to get moving.

We can also share which activities are suitable for people with arthritis. You want to select low-impact workouts that go easy on the joints. Most importantly, however, whatever you choose should be fun. 

Why? Because the more fun you’re having, the more likely you are to keep doing it!

Physical Therapist-Approved Exercise Ideas

Once you’ve been cleared to start a new exercise program, here are some ideas from our PTs to get you started:

  • Walking, either outside (preferably on a dirt trail) or inside on a treadmill
  • Golf
  • Cycling
  • Swimming
  • A customized exercise program at Therapy Fit Physical Therapy

If you have any questions about working out with arthritis, don’t hesitate to call us! Our team is happy to guide you through the process.

Sources: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/physical-activity/other-activities/14-ways-to-work-out-with-arthritis 

How To Have a Great Summer–PT Style!

The days are getting longer, the air is getting warmer, and school is winding down. That means one thing: summer is on its way! Here are some tips to ensure a healthy summer for you and your family:

  • Drink plenty of water. While you should strive to stay hydrated all year round, it’s particularly important in warmer weather.
  • Ease back into summer activities gradually. Whether you’re hitting the pool more frequently or taking more evening walks thanks to the later sunsets, avoid doing too much too soon. Start slow, don’t push too hard, and remember to warm up first.
  • Don’t skip your PT sessions. We know summer’s busy. But keeping up with your physical therapy will help you stay active and pain-free throughout the season–and beyond!

Ready to make the most of the summer months? Schedule an appointment with Therapy Fit Physical Therapy today!

Outstanding Care for Sports Injuries”

“I play club-level cricket in the DFW area and have needed treatment twice last/this year – once in June for a lower back strain and again in December for an Achilles tendon tear above my right ankle. Dr. Praveen and his team are absolutely top-notch and took excellent care of me on both occasions.

Their therapy practices are truly advanced and mind-blowing. The level of expertise and personalized attention I received made a significant difference in my recovery. I have the highest regards for this facility and their staff.

This is my genuine review – highly recommend Therapy Fit to anyone needing physical therapy, especially athletes dealing with sports-related injuries.”

P.J.

Exercise of the Month

Median Nerve Glide

(Arms, Nerve Mobility)

Stand tall with your arm extended in front of you at shoulder height, palm facing up. Use your opposite hand to gently grasp your thumb. Slowly extend your wrist and fingers back. Return to the starting position with control. Perform the motion gently and smoothly.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each arm). (Materials needed: none)

They treated me very well with care and fixed my problem. They used lots of spine adjustment and some modern pain relieving equipment. I really appreciate the service provided to me.

– Sahasra.M

All personnel were genuinely vested in my progress. Staff is easy to work with and very accomodating!

– Lynn C.

What is joint mobilization?

You have hundreds of joints in your body, which come in a variety of types and sizes (such as a “hinge joint” in your elbow, a “ball and socket joint” in your hip, or a “saddle joint” in your thumb). Joints, formed by the articulating surfaces of two or more bones, depend on a combination of both stability and mobility in order to help you function efficiently and comfortably. Importantly, joints are supported by a wide variety of physiological structures including capsules, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscle fibers, all of which can become injured and potentially benefit from physical therapy services, including a service known as joint mobilization. 

Joint mobilization is a type of manual therapy performed here at Physical Fit. It involves the passive movement of specific joints using the skilled application of force, direction, and technique. A physical therapist at Therapy Fit Physical Therapy in Frisco, Prosper and West Frisco, TX can use his or her hands to mobilize an affected joint or may elect to use certain tools, including straps, to help deliver the desired treatment effect. 

The specific type, magnitude, speed, and frequency of joint mobilization performed depends on several factors, including the goal of treatment, the type of joint being targeted, and even your own unique anatomy. The primary effects of joint mobilizations include pain reduction, improved range of motion, and improved quality of joint movement itself (known as arthrokinematics).

What conditions can benefit from joint mobilization?

Sometimes, a joint can become irritated, swollen, or misaligned as a result of injury, stress, poor posture, repetitive movement, or even as a result of age-related wear and tear. When this happens, the joint may not move correctly and become stiff and painful. Nearby structures including muscles, tendons, and ligaments may become tense or injured as a compensatory effect of trying to support or stabilize the injured joint. This can lead to muscle weakness or even impingement and damage to nearby nerves. 

Joint mobilization isn’t appropriate for all patients, and our skilled and experience physical therapists can determine if it’s right for you or a loved one. Specific conditions which our physical therapy team successfully manage with joint mobilizations include:

  • Arthritis (especially of the shoulder, spine, elbow, hip, and knee)
  • Rotator cuff tears and sprains
  • Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
  • Medial or lateral epicondylitis (golfer’s or tennis elbow, respectively)
  • Ankle sprains
  • Sciatica and other types of nerve impingement syndromes
  • Facet joint locking and other types of spinal misalignments
  • Whiplash

Joint issues are often the hidden underlying factors driving other types of injuries and ailments including muscle strains, ligament damage, and bursitis, so this is why we strongly encourage you to consult with a physical therapist with any type of acute or chronic dysfunction. Your joints could be contributing to your pain without you even realizing it!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Frisco Lakes Community! It was an inspiring morning dedicated to empowering our community to stay strong, steady, and independent. Attendees learned essential fall prevention strategies, practiced balance exercises, and received free, personalized screenings from our expert physical therapists.

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Banana Split

This classic ice cream dessert starts with a fresh banana, three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), pineapple, chocolate syrup, and strawberries. Oh, and don’t forget the whipped cream, nuts, and maraschino cherries. Grab a spoon and dig in!

Ingredients:

  • 1 scoop each vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream
  • 1 medium banana, peeled and split lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons sliced fresh strawberries or 1 tablespoon strawberry ice cream topping
  • 2 tablespoons pineapple chunks or 1 tablespoon pineapple ice cream topping
  • 2 tablespoons whipped cream
  • 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
  • 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
  • 1 tablespoon caramel sundae syrup
  • 2 maraschino cherries with stems

Instructions:

Place ice cream in a dessert dish; add banana. Top with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.